See entry in Who's Who 1964. Address in 1964 11 Cornwall Court, Wilbury Avenue, Hove, Sussex
Editor in Chief, Press Association 1928-1954
Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries
Fellow of Royal Society of Arts
Educated privately
Training in Worcester 1906-1908
London News Agency 1908-1919
Daily Sketch News Editor 1919-1925
Evening Standard New Editor 1925-1928
Publication: The Place of Religion in the Post-War press
Recreations: Music, Archaelogy, Literature, Poetry, Philosophy, Theology
Letter from Henry Martin, F.S.A., Editor-in-Chief, Press Association to The Secretary, British Museum.
http://www.britishmuseum.org/the_museum/news_and_press_releases/statements/parthenon_sculptures/the_1930s_cleaning/correspondence.aspx
The Press Association,
P.O.Box no. 67,
23 St. Bride Street,
London, E.C.4. May 18, 1939
HM/ME
Dear Sir,
To-day's "Times" has a statement issued apparently by the Trustees ofthe British Museum regarding the recent cleaning of the Elgin Marbles.
I shall be grateful if you will inform me why a similar statement wasnot issued to the Press Association for distribution to the London andprovincial Press. The subject is one of national interest, and already I am having inquiries why "The Times" should have been exclusivelyfavoured.
Yours faithfully.
(Henry Martin)
Editor-in-Chief
The Secretary,
British Museum,
London, W.C.
22 May, 1939
Henry Martin, Esq., F.S.A.,
The Press Association,
23, St. Bride Street,
E.C.4.
Dear Sir,
With reference to your letter of the 18th, I can only reply that the statement issued to The Times and not to The Press Association was issued by the Trustees.
I am unable to state what the Trustees' reasons for their policy were. Your letter will be laid before the Board in due course.
I am, dear Sir,
Yours faithfully.
(Sd.) A. Esdaile
Secretary
http://www.thetelegraphandargus.co.uk/news/1053791.notsoblunt_words_that_stopped_coronation/
Not-so-blunt words that stopped coronation
4:41pm Friday 1st December 2006
By Mike Priestley »
If a T&A reporter hadn't changed his mind 70 years ago, history mighthave been different. MIKE PRIESTLEY reports.
Seventy years ago today a bombshell was dropped in Bradford.
The ripples it created rapidly spread outwards, grew in strength, andwithin nine days had led to the abdication of the monarch who had onlybriefly been known as King Edward VIII but was never crowned as such.
It came about largely because a Telegraph & Argus reporter did his job properly and professionally and succeeded in understanding the subtleties of a carefully-crafted speech made by the Bishop of Bradford, the Right Reverend Alfred Blunt, to his Diocesan Conference.
On December 1, 1936, Dr Blunt spoke his mind on a subject many of those in power were aware of but had chosen to remain silent about. As the nation waited to celebrate the Coronation of George V's successor, there were mutterings in influential circles about Edward's relationship with Wallis Simpson, an American divorcee with whom he had long been obsessed.
There was plenty of gossip abroad about the relationship, but at homePrime Minister Stanley Baldwin was keen on keeping the matter as quietas possible. Even so, there was considerable tension between No. 10and Buckingham Palace about the King's determination to marry Mrs Simpson once her second divorce had been granted.
While Bishop Blunt was preparing his historic speech, Baldwin was mulling over an ultimatum presented to him by Edward: either Mrs Simpson became his Queen or he would abdicate.
The British Press barons were well aware of what was going on but as members of the Establishment they felt unable to rock the boat. So although the newspapers were in touch with the situation, nothing was said about a state of affairs which was to lead to the first king abandoning the throne since James II fled from the advancing army of Williamof Orange in 1688.
Enter stage (or pulpit) left Dr Blunt, speech in hand. And there sitting in his audience with his professional tools of notebook and pen was Telegraph & Argus reporter Ronald Harker who had been sent along byhis Editor to cover the conference - a job allocation which will probably have been received with sighs of relief by his newsroom colleagues, it not being considered the most exciting assignment of the day.
As the Bishop spoke, Harker's pen traced the shorthand outlines of his words. For a while the speech seemed worthy but unexceptional - although with hindsight there were subtle hints of unease as Bishop Bluntdiscoursed on the forthcoming Coronation service, emphasising one point which he said was material for a proper understanding of the intention of the service.
"On this occasion the King holds an avowedly representative position.His personal views and opinions are his own, and as an individual he has the right of us all to be the keeper of his own private conscience.But in his public capacity at his Coronation, he stands for the English people's idea of kingship. It has for long centuries been, and I hope still is, an essential part of that idea that the King needs the grace of God for his office. In the Coronation ceremony the nation definitely acknowledges that need. Whatever it may mean, much or little, tothe individual who is crowned, to the people as a whole it means their dedication of the English monarchy to the care of God, in whose rule and governance are the hearts of kings.
"Thus, in the second place, not only as important as but far more important that the King's personal feelings are to his Coronation, is thefeeling with which we - the people of England - view it. Our part of the ceremony is to fill it with reality, by the sincerity of our beliefin the power of God to over-rule for good our national history, andbythe sincerity with which we commend the King and nation to his Providence.
"Are we going to be merely spectators or listeners-in as at any otherinteresting function, with a sort of passive curiosity? Or are we in some sense going to consecrate ourselves to the service of God and thewelfare of mankind?"
Ronald Harker must have been wondering where all this was leading. Hedidn't have to wait much longer as the Bishop dropped his bombshell atthe end of a passage in which he continued his analysis of the benefit of the Coronation which he said depended, under God, upon two elements.
"First, on the faith, prayer, and self-dedication of the King himself; and on that it would be improper for me to say anything except to commend him to God's grace, which he will so abundantly need, as we allneed it - for the King is a man like ourselves - if he is to do his duty faithfully. We hope that he is aware of his need. Some of us wish that he gave more positive signs of such awareness."
With the last sentence, implying that the King had become detached from grace and had therefore put the rites of the Coronation in doubt, Bishop Blunt lit the blue touchpaper. Ronald Harker's hand might have trembled as the significance of it dawned on him.
He took his notes back to the office and conferred with his colleagueCharles Leach (who would later go on to be T&A Editor). They agreed that the national media might be interested and sent the story over thewire to the Press Association.
The constitutional crisis was now out in the open. There was no turning back. Nine days later the King declared in a broadcast to the nation that if he couldn't reign side by side with the woman he loved, he wouldn't reign at all. Two days after that the Abdication Act was passed by Parliament. The following May Edward's younger brother was crowned King George VI. And Edward and Mrs Simpson ended their days as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor.
Fortune had smiled that day on Ronald Harker, the Press Association'saccredited Bradford correspondent at that time on top of his T&A duties, giving him the story of his career. In the week before the Coronation, when national newspapers were recapping on the circumstances whichhad led to the abrupt change in its star player, the Editor-in-Chief of the Telegraph & Argus, the legendary O B Stokes, had sent a stern letter to the Editor of The Times pointing out that it was the T&A reporter's despatch to the Press Association which had broken the story nationally, and not an Editorial in the Yorkshire Post.
He wrote: "Shortly before the Diocesan Conference the correspondent had offered the Press Association his resignation but had, at their request, continued to represent them. A few days after the speech had been published he received from Mr Henry Martin, Editor-in-Chief of the Press Association, a letter of thanks."
The letter made it clear that if the report had not been sent to the Press Association and instead had been carried only in the Telegraph &Argus, the outcome might have been different.
"Had you carried out your desire to resign the correspondentship," hewrote, "we should not have had this excellent story - and who knows whether a few hours or even a day's delay, until your paper had sunk into Fleet Steet, would not have postponed the crisis. Thank you again."
Mentioned in Field of Vision by Mark Andreson
http://books.google.com/books?id=2l_ZPALtLBIC&pg=PA245&lpg=PA245&dq=henry+martin+press+association&source=web&ots=p-eBDTlo7F&sig=ZfJ-RA5FGHGCxAMQj4efl4O0TJ4&hl=en&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=9&ct=result
Sunday, 19 April 2009
Henry Martin
occupation was a Saddler at the time of the 1881 Census
http://content.ancestry.com/Browse/view.aspx?dbid=7572&path=Sussex.Brighton.The+Palace.7.24&fn=Ellen%20M.&ln=Martin&st=g&pid=22027988&rc=&zp=50
Naval Volunteer Force member
Vice President - Swimming Association of Great Britain
Hon Sec Brighton Swimming Club
Address on visiting card: 153 North Street, Brighton
Held Life Saving Certificate of Royal Humane Society
born 1850 in Brighton, Sussex
died 1909 in Clapham Park
http://content.ancestry.com/Browse/view.aspx?dbid=7572&path=Sussex.Brighton.The+Palace.7.24&fn=Ellen%20M.&ln=Martin&st=g&pid=22027988&rc=&zp=50
Naval Volunteer Force member
Vice President - Swimming Association of Great Britain
Hon Sec Brighton Swimming Club
Address on visiting card: 153 North Street, Brighton
Held Life Saving Certificate of Royal Humane Society
born 1850 in Brighton, Sussex
died 1909 in Clapham Park
Edward Albert Martin AKA Edward Alfred Martin
Also known as Edward Alfred Martin
See biographical notes produced by his granddaughter Pauline K Robinson (nee Marstrand), deposited in Croydon Local History Library (Philip Martin has a photocopy). She had his year of birth as 1863 and described him as the eighth of nine sons. Much of the information Philip Martin has about the descendants of E A Martin come from this document which was written in October 1987. It does appear to have been written largely from memory and whilst it is an excellent document it does contain some errors particularly in dates (eg the date of death of H K Martin) and in the recording of second Christian names (eg in the case of EA Martin's son Cyril who she describes as Cyril Alfred but whose will has Cyril Huntly)
Author of:
"A Bibliography of Gilbert White the Naturalist and Antiquarian of Selbourne with a Biography and Descriptive Account of the Village of Selbourne" first published before 1920. Philip Martin has a copy of the revised edition that was published by Halton and Company Ltd of 57 Haymarket, London in 1934.
"Brighton's Lost River" in South Eastern Naturalist and Antiquary (Transactions of the South Eastern Union of Scientific Studies) Vol XIX p39-56, 1915.
"Dew Ponds" in Antiquity Magazine Vol 4 p347-351
"Dew Ponds" booklet reprinted from Knowledge and Scientific News, May& June 1907
"Dew Ponds" booklet reprinted from The Geographical Journal August 1909, publised Royal Geographic Society. Also October 1910.
"Dew Ponds, History, Observation and Experiment". Illus. 6/-208 pages7
"The Glaciation of the South Downs" in South Eastern Naturalist and Antiquary
"Croydon Old and New" 1904 (was either a joint author or is mentionedin it)
"Life in a Sussex Windmill with some Amenities of the South Downs" 1920
"Outlines of Sussex Geology and Other Essays" pub. Archer and Co 1932. 204p. Philip Martin has a copy. This includes some local history notes of Brighton from the period of his childhood.
"The Story of a Piece a Coal"
"Glimpses into Natures secrets"
"Nature-Chat"
"Problems in Coastal Erosion" 16pp 1914
"Sea Erosion and Coastal Protection" in SE Nat & A Vol XI p35-49
"The Pleistocene Cliff Formations of Brighton" in SE Nat & A Vol XXXIV
Childhood: spent summer months as a child in a cottage at Patcham
c 1884 approx: Apparently lived for a few years in Ackroyd Road (off Brockley Rise), Forest Hill
1889 No mention in Ward's Croydon Directory
1891 Ward's Croydon Directory - 21 Carew Road, Thornton Heath - also at this address in 1893,1894 and 1895 Ward's Directory
1896 Ward's Croydon Directory - 69 Bensham Road (presumably Bensham Manor Road or Bensham Lane), Thornton Heath
1899 Ward's Croydon Directory - 69 Bensham Road, Thornton Heath
1899 Kelly's Croydon Directory - EA Martin FGS, 69 Bensham Road, Thornton Heath
1900 Ward's Croydon Directory - 23 Campbell Road (off Bensham Lane), Thornton Heath
1901 Presented with an album relating to the Croham Hurst Campaign, this together with a book of newspaper cuttings, letters and accounts relating to the Croham Hurst purchase during the period 1849-1901 is (1995) in the Croydon Local History Library under reference S70(333)CRO
1902 Ward's Croydon Directory - 23 Campbell Road, Thornton Heath
1902-1936 Member of Croydon Public Libraries Committee
1907 Walked on the South Downs with his son Cyril on Good Friday
1908-1910 Lived (rented not owned) Clayton Windmill (the brick Tower Mill known as Jack he said was built in 1876; Brunarius has 1866), with his wife. See "Life in a Sussex Mill and Brunarius pages 76-78; "the archaelogist E A Martin used the base as a holiday hime in 1908, 1909 and 1910". Further references to Clayton Mill in Sussex Life magazine April 1966 page 37, November 1972, page 26, February 1974 page 34, January 1979 page 18, this article mentioning "the archaelogist E A Martin" living at the mill while researching dew ponds
1930 Ward's Croydon Directory lists him at 10 Howden Road (off South Norwood Hill, SE25), South Norwood. Also listed at this address was L.P. Arnold, solicitor. Howden Road was mentioned as one of his places of abode by Pauline K Robinson (nee Marstrand) in her biographical note.
1931 Autumn Regiser of Electors; at 14 High View Close, South Norwood, SE25 (this is the first time that High View Close is listed, presumably the house was built c1930/31)
1935 14th October. Electoral Roll; at 14 Highview Close, South Norwood SE19/25 (Upper Norwood Walk) with wife and daughter Grace Winifred Martin
1936 Letter from him to The Sussex County Magazine (Vol X, page 219) concerning Clayton Windmill. His address was then Norwood, SE19
1938 Mentioned in the preface to "Dewponds in Fact and Fable" by Alfred J Pugsley, Philip Martin has a photocopy.
18th January 1938, Biographical article in series Norwood Notables byW B Goldsmith. This indicates he was still living in Highview Close. Philip Martin has a photocopy.
c1938 (Pauline K Robinson) has 1936) he and his wife retired to Hove
1943 Died at Brighton Municipal Hospital, Elm Grove. Address on deathcertificate was 21 Clifton Terrace, Brighton. Occupation given as retired GPO Clerk. Aged 79. Cause of death Myocardial degeneration, informant was his son Hereward. GRO Ref 1943 2b 400.
1944 Obituary by A S Woodward, Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London, 100, LXXIV 1944
1995 There is a collection of biographical cuttings etc in Croydon Local History Library under reference S0(92)MAR
According to granddaughter Pauline K Marstrand, he also lived in Holmesdale Road and Whitworth Road.
He had a number of grandchildren.
Commander of the Metropolitan Special Constabulary Reserve
Vice President Croydon Natural History Society
Editor, South Eastern Union of Scientific Studies
Hon Member Gilbert White Fellowship
Croydon Public Libraries Commitee
Hon Curator of the Grange Wood Museum for 8 years before World War I
Used to sing in the Handel Festival Choir
Was to travel to Ghent with the Imperial Choir just before World War1but the visit was cancelled
Played the Cello
An artist - sketches and watercolours
Mentioned and a photograph of him in "Croydon: A Pictorial History" by John B Gent, Phillimore, 1991 ISBN 0 85033 800X. Text accompanying plate 162: "Edward A Martin (left) was born in Brighton in 1864 and died there in 1943. Naturalist, geologist and author, he lived in Croydon for much of his life and was a member of the Borough Library Committee from 1902 until 1936 and vice-chairman from 1926to 1936. He is pictured here with Henry Keatley Moore in about 1900. Both were prominentin the campaigns to save Croham Hurst from building development and toprevent the demolition of the Whitgift Hospital".
Articles sent to Karen Langridge by Croydon Local History Library:
Edward Alfred Martin:
1864-1943
E.A Martin was born on 20 January 1864 at Brighton, and died there on14 December 1943. In between, he lived at Thornton Heath, and for a short while, in one of the Clayton Windmills, where he took up residenceabout 1908. He does not appear, from his book "Life in a Sussex Windmill", to have lived there permanently. Rather, the impression is that he used the mills as a second home, or weekend country retreat. He appears to have left the mills by 1920, when the book was published.
Martin was a most interesting character, and of considerable importance to us in Croydon, for we owe largely to his efforts the preservation of Croham Hurst, and of the Whitgift Almhouses, and the curation ofthe only public museum the town has ever had.
He was a member of a great many societies, and appears to have held office in most of them. They included the Brighton and Hove Natural History Society, our own Society, the Commons, Open Spaces and Footpaths Preservation Society, the Gilbert White Fellowship, the Selbourne Society, the South-Eastern Union of Scientific Societies, and many others.He was a Fellow of Geological Society from 1895 onwards, and Curator of the Grange Wood Museum at Croydon for the greater part of its life,approximately 1901 - 1939 (with a break during and after the first World War, when it was closed.) He was ourPresident for 1917 - 1918.
He lectured frequently to these and other bodies, mainly on geological topics, and contributed large numbers of notes and papers (of whicha sample is mentioned in the bibliogrpahy) to a number or periodicals, notably Hardwicke's Science Gossip and Knowledge and Scientific News.
It is, therefore, somewhat surprising that obituary notices for Martin are so scarce. The most informative one traced is in the Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London.
Martin's work was as a Civil Servant with the G.P.O, and he was, also, a Commander of the Metropolitan Special Constabulary Reserve.
He appears to have become active in amateur geology and natural history in his mid to late twenties, and by 1892 he had already published two popular books on natural history - "Amidst Nature's Realms" and "Glimpses into Nature's Secrets". His most substantial work, a bibliography of Gilbert White, appeared as early as 1896, and is still a standard reference work, and has recently been reprinted.Contributions to Hardwicke's Science Gossip commenced during the 1890s, whilst to the endof that decade he was very much involved with the massive public campaign to protect Croham Hurst from residential development (1899-1901)
Early in the new century he became Honarary Curator of the Grange Wood Museum (then, curiously, managed by the Borough's Roads Commitee - because the committee was also responsible for parks, and themuseum stood in a park!)
Another association with the local authority also dates from about the same time. He was co-opted onto the Borough's Library Committee in 1902, and in later years became vice-chairman, from 1926 to 1936.
Some years' research into the subject of dew-ponds culminated in several papers, and a book which ran to three editions. His observations were extended when, in about 1908, he provided himself with quarters atClayton Windmills, allowing him to make observations and measurementshigh up on the downs at all times of day and night.
He was closely concerned with conservation again between about 1913 and the 1920s, during the long dispute about Croydon Corporation's plans to demolish the Trinity Hospital of John Whitgift (the Whitgift Almhouses) to make North End wider for the passage of the trams. This particular battle was fought all the way to the House of Lords - and the corporation lost. Ironically, now, the trams have long gone, we have plans for a ring-road and already have an underpass at Park Lane and a flyover, and it appears that both North End and George Street may wellbecome a pedestrian precinct!
In 1919, eighteen years' observations of coastal erosion resulted in publication of a paper on weathering at Black Rock, Brighton. "Life ina Sussex Windmill" was published in 1920, and "Natural History and Antiquities of Croydon" three years later. This latter book was a reprinted collection of popular notes and articles from the Croydon TImes.
After his retirement, he produced a book "Outlines of Sussex Geology"in 1932, and became active with the Brighton and Hove Natural HistorySociety - he was a member of that Society's Council about 1938.
Author: Paul W Sowan, Secretary, Croydon Natural History and Scientific Society Ltd
Bibliography:
Undated Publications:
The Brighton Rubble-Drift Formation. Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 3(1), 64-67 + p1.5
Coal Mines under Surrey, Surrey Magazine 2, 245
Grange Wood Museum Guides, published by Croydon Corporation
Guide to the Anthropological Collection 14pp
Roman Remains In and Around Croydon
Save the Whitgift Hospital - leaflet
To Save the Whitgift Hospital - a short history. Leaflet.
Dated Publications:
Afield to Margate and in the Isle of Thanet - The Field Club 2(1), 9-10 dated 1891
Amidst Nature's Realms: a series of Zoological, Botanical and Geological Essays, London: xiv and 157 pp dated 1892
Glimpses into Nature's Secrets, or Strolls on Beach and Down. 2nd Edition, London x 131 pp - dated 1892
Foreign Boulders in the Chalk, Geol. Mag, Dec 4 4 169 - dated 1897
Croydon, Old and New - dated 1898
Croydon Water, Science Gossip n.s 5, p. 93 dated 1898
A Field Club Ramble, Nature Notes p, p. 210 dated 1898
New Borings round London, Science Gossip n.s 5, 118 - 119 dated 1898
Norwood and Croydon Notes, Science Gossip n.s 5, p. 158 dated 1898
Some Founders of Geology Ibid 11-12 dated 1898
Beneath the Devil's Dyke Ibid 52-53 dated 1898
Brighton Cliff Formation Ibid p. 376 dated 1898
Fossil Resin in the Chalk Ibid n.s 6, p. 119, dated 1899
A History of Chalk, Ibid n.s. 6, 12 - 14, 41 - 43, 78 - 79, 115 - 117, 142 - 143, 198 - 199, 235, 306 - 307, 336 - 337, 368 dated 1899-1900
Preservation of Croham Hurst, Ibid n.s 5, 321-322, dated 1899
The Preservation of Croham Hurst, Ibid n.s 6, p. 31, dated 1899
The Surrey Bourne, Ibid n.s 6, p.318 - dated 1900
Coal Mines under Surrey, Surrey Magazine 2(7), 245-246, dated 1900
Gilbert White of Selbourne. Abstract of Reports and Annual Report, Brighton & hove Nat. Hist. and Philosoph. Soc., y.e June 13th 1900, 10 -12, dated 1900
Neolithic Hut-Circles near Hayes and Keston, Science Gossip n.s 7, p.157 - dated 1900
A Ramble over Oxted Downs, Surrey Magazine 2(4), 132 - 144 - dated 1900
Westow Hill Gravels, Science Gossip n.s 7, p. 124 dated 1900
The Protection and Preservation of Plants, South Eastern Naturalist for 1902, 36 - 40, dated 1902
Rubble Drift and Dry Chalk Valleys, Science Gossip n.s 8, 326 - 328 dated 1902
Croydon New and Old, Jointly with J.E Morris
Homeland Association Handbook 7 dated 1904
Sea Erosion and Coast Protection. S.E Naturalist for 1906, 35 - 49 dated 1906
How Long Ago in Geology. Geological Magazine, dec. 5,4 (518_, 349 - 351, dated 1907
Palaeozoic Rocks under South Eastern England, Kn. and Sci. News, August 1908 (Reprinted as a leaflet) 11 pp. dated 1908
Some Considerations concerning dew ponds, South Eastern England Naturalist for 1908 66 - 85 dated 1908
The Lives and Habits of the Hydra, the May-Fly. Proc. Holmesdale Natural History Club for 1906-09 page 9, dated 1910
Results of Dew Pond Investigation, South Eastern Naturalist for 1910,20-28 dated 1910
Some Amenities of Old South Norwood, Corporation of Croydon: Grange Wood Museum, dated 1912
Whitgift Hospital, Croydon. Selborne Magazine 24 ( 278), 23-24 dated 1913
Croydon's Commons and How they were disposed of, reprinted from Croydon Advertiser, 31 January 1914 by Jesse W Ward
Abstract of Lecture on Dew Ponds, Abstr. of Rep. & Ann. Rep. Brighton& Hove Natural History Society 1914
Token Money in Croydon. Trans. Corydon Natural History & Scientific Society 8(1), 1- 4 dated 1915
Skulls and Haws of Ancient Man and his implements. S.E Naturalist for1917,23-37 dated 1917
Anglo-Saxon Remains in and Around Croydon. Corporation of Croydon: Grange Wood Museum 16 pp. dated 1918
Kenley Command [Comment on its closure for use as an aerodrome and flying ground] S E Naturalist dated 1919 p. lxiii
Whitgift's Hospital, Croydon. S E Naturalist for 1923
Problems in Anthropology S E Naturalist for 1925
Coal and its story. What it is, Whence it comes and Whither it Goes,Hodder and Stoughton xii + 13 - 320 pp, dated 1926
Break-Names in Geological History, S.E Naturalist for 1926
The Makings of Pearls, Ibid for 1931 (36), 13 - 19 dated 1931
Outlines of Sussex Geology, and other Essays. London: Archer and Co 204. pp 1932
Obituary by A.S Woodward, Quarterly Journal of the Geological Societyof London 100, lxxiv dated 1944
Supplement:
A Bibliography of Gilbert White, the Natural Historian and Antiquarian of Selborne, Westminster: Roxborough Press xiv + 274 pp. dated 1896
The Story of the Fight for Croham Hurst, with a Brief Description of its Beauties. 23 pp illus. leaflet, reprinted from Croydon Advertiser of 9 March 1901 and the Surrey Magazine of April 1901.
Biographical Note. CPL Surrey Collection: Newscuttings, 2 pp., 1 port. ps70(92) - dated 1924
An Appreciation of E.A Martin's Resignation from the Libraries Committe 4pp, 1 port; bibliogr. CPL: S70(92) dated 1937
See biographical notes produced by his granddaughter Pauline K Robinson (nee Marstrand), deposited in Croydon Local History Library (Philip Martin has a photocopy). She had his year of birth as 1863 and described him as the eighth of nine sons. Much of the information Philip Martin has about the descendants of E A Martin come from this document which was written in October 1987. It does appear to have been written largely from memory and whilst it is an excellent document it does contain some errors particularly in dates (eg the date of death of H K Martin) and in the recording of second Christian names (eg in the case of EA Martin's son Cyril who she describes as Cyril Alfred but whose will has Cyril Huntly)
Author of:
"A Bibliography of Gilbert White the Naturalist and Antiquarian of Selbourne with a Biography and Descriptive Account of the Village of Selbourne" first published before 1920. Philip Martin has a copy of the revised edition that was published by Halton and Company Ltd of 57 Haymarket, London in 1934.
"Brighton's Lost River" in South Eastern Naturalist and Antiquary (Transactions of the South Eastern Union of Scientific Studies) Vol XIX p39-56, 1915.
"Dew Ponds" in Antiquity Magazine Vol 4 p347-351
"Dew Ponds" booklet reprinted from Knowledge and Scientific News, May& June 1907
"Dew Ponds" booklet reprinted from The Geographical Journal August 1909, publised Royal Geographic Society. Also October 1910.
"Dew Ponds, History, Observation and Experiment". Illus. 6/-208 pages7
"The Glaciation of the South Downs" in South Eastern Naturalist and Antiquary
"Croydon Old and New" 1904 (was either a joint author or is mentionedin it)
"Life in a Sussex Windmill with some Amenities of the South Downs" 1920
"Outlines of Sussex Geology and Other Essays" pub. Archer and Co 1932. 204p. Philip Martin has a copy. This includes some local history notes of Brighton from the period of his childhood.
"The Story of a Piece a Coal"
"Glimpses into Natures secrets"
"Nature-Chat"
"Problems in Coastal Erosion" 16pp 1914
"Sea Erosion and Coastal Protection" in SE Nat & A Vol XI p35-49
"The Pleistocene Cliff Formations of Brighton" in SE Nat & A Vol XXXIV
Childhood: spent summer months as a child in a cottage at Patcham
c 1884 approx: Apparently lived for a few years in Ackroyd Road (off Brockley Rise), Forest Hill
1889 No mention in Ward's Croydon Directory
1891 Ward's Croydon Directory - 21 Carew Road, Thornton Heath - also at this address in 1893,1894 and 1895 Ward's Directory
1896 Ward's Croydon Directory - 69 Bensham Road (presumably Bensham Manor Road or Bensham Lane), Thornton Heath
1899 Ward's Croydon Directory - 69 Bensham Road, Thornton Heath
1899 Kelly's Croydon Directory - EA Martin FGS, 69 Bensham Road, Thornton Heath
1900 Ward's Croydon Directory - 23 Campbell Road (off Bensham Lane), Thornton Heath
1901 Presented with an album relating to the Croham Hurst Campaign, this together with a book of newspaper cuttings, letters and accounts relating to the Croham Hurst purchase during the period 1849-1901 is (1995) in the Croydon Local History Library under reference S70(333)CRO
1902 Ward's Croydon Directory - 23 Campbell Road, Thornton Heath
1902-1936 Member of Croydon Public Libraries Committee
1907 Walked on the South Downs with his son Cyril on Good Friday
1908-1910 Lived (rented not owned) Clayton Windmill (the brick Tower Mill known as Jack he said was built in 1876; Brunarius has 1866), with his wife. See "Life in a Sussex Mill and Brunarius pages 76-78; "the archaelogist E A Martin used the base as a holiday hime in 1908, 1909 and 1910". Further references to Clayton Mill in Sussex Life magazine April 1966 page 37, November 1972, page 26, February 1974 page 34, January 1979 page 18, this article mentioning "the archaelogist E A Martin" living at the mill while researching dew ponds
1930 Ward's Croydon Directory lists him at 10 Howden Road (off South Norwood Hill, SE25), South Norwood. Also listed at this address was L.P. Arnold, solicitor. Howden Road was mentioned as one of his places of abode by Pauline K Robinson (nee Marstrand) in her biographical note.
1931 Autumn Regiser of Electors; at 14 High View Close, South Norwood, SE25 (this is the first time that High View Close is listed, presumably the house was built c1930/31)
1935 14th October. Electoral Roll; at 14 Highview Close, South Norwood SE19/25 (Upper Norwood Walk) with wife and daughter Grace Winifred Martin
1936 Letter from him to The Sussex County Magazine (Vol X, page 219) concerning Clayton Windmill. His address was then Norwood, SE19
1938 Mentioned in the preface to "Dewponds in Fact and Fable" by Alfred J Pugsley, Philip Martin has a photocopy.
18th January 1938, Biographical article in series Norwood Notables byW B Goldsmith. This indicates he was still living in Highview Close. Philip Martin has a photocopy.
c1938 (Pauline K Robinson) has 1936) he and his wife retired to Hove
1943 Died at Brighton Municipal Hospital, Elm Grove. Address on deathcertificate was 21 Clifton Terrace, Brighton. Occupation given as retired GPO Clerk. Aged 79. Cause of death Myocardial degeneration, informant was his son Hereward. GRO Ref 1943 2b 400.
1944 Obituary by A S Woodward, Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London, 100, LXXIV 1944
1995 There is a collection of biographical cuttings etc in Croydon Local History Library under reference S0(92)MAR
According to granddaughter Pauline K Marstrand, he also lived in Holmesdale Road and Whitworth Road.
He had a number of grandchildren.
Commander of the Metropolitan Special Constabulary Reserve
Vice President Croydon Natural History Society
Editor, South Eastern Union of Scientific Studies
Hon Member Gilbert White Fellowship
Croydon Public Libraries Commitee
Hon Curator of the Grange Wood Museum for 8 years before World War I
Used to sing in the Handel Festival Choir
Was to travel to Ghent with the Imperial Choir just before World War1but the visit was cancelled
Played the Cello
An artist - sketches and watercolours
Mentioned and a photograph of him in "Croydon: A Pictorial History" by John B Gent, Phillimore, 1991 ISBN 0 85033 800X. Text accompanying plate 162: "Edward A Martin (left) was born in Brighton in 1864 and died there in 1943. Naturalist, geologist and author, he lived in Croydon for much of his life and was a member of the Borough Library Committee from 1902 until 1936 and vice-chairman from 1926to 1936. He is pictured here with Henry Keatley Moore in about 1900. Both were prominentin the campaigns to save Croham Hurst from building development and toprevent the demolition of the Whitgift Hospital".
Articles sent to Karen Langridge by Croydon Local History Library:
Edward Alfred Martin:
1864-1943
E.A Martin was born on 20 January 1864 at Brighton, and died there on14 December 1943. In between, he lived at Thornton Heath, and for a short while, in one of the Clayton Windmills, where he took up residenceabout 1908. He does not appear, from his book "Life in a Sussex Windmill", to have lived there permanently. Rather, the impression is that he used the mills as a second home, or weekend country retreat. He appears to have left the mills by 1920, when the book was published.
Martin was a most interesting character, and of considerable importance to us in Croydon, for we owe largely to his efforts the preservation of Croham Hurst, and of the Whitgift Almhouses, and the curation ofthe only public museum the town has ever had.
He was a member of a great many societies, and appears to have held office in most of them. They included the Brighton and Hove Natural History Society, our own Society, the Commons, Open Spaces and Footpaths Preservation Society, the Gilbert White Fellowship, the Selbourne Society, the South-Eastern Union of Scientific Societies, and many others.He was a Fellow of Geological Society from 1895 onwards, and Curator of the Grange Wood Museum at Croydon for the greater part of its life,approximately 1901 - 1939 (with a break during and after the first World War, when it was closed.) He was ourPresident for 1917 - 1918.
He lectured frequently to these and other bodies, mainly on geological topics, and contributed large numbers of notes and papers (of whicha sample is mentioned in the bibliogrpahy) to a number or periodicals, notably Hardwicke's Science Gossip and Knowledge and Scientific News.
It is, therefore, somewhat surprising that obituary notices for Martin are so scarce. The most informative one traced is in the Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London.
Martin's work was as a Civil Servant with the G.P.O, and he was, also, a Commander of the Metropolitan Special Constabulary Reserve.
He appears to have become active in amateur geology and natural history in his mid to late twenties, and by 1892 he had already published two popular books on natural history - "Amidst Nature's Realms" and "Glimpses into Nature's Secrets". His most substantial work, a bibliography of Gilbert White, appeared as early as 1896, and is still a standard reference work, and has recently been reprinted.Contributions to Hardwicke's Science Gossip commenced during the 1890s, whilst to the endof that decade he was very much involved with the massive public campaign to protect Croham Hurst from residential development (1899-1901)
Early in the new century he became Honarary Curator of the Grange Wood Museum (then, curiously, managed by the Borough's Roads Commitee - because the committee was also responsible for parks, and themuseum stood in a park!)
Another association with the local authority also dates from about the same time. He was co-opted onto the Borough's Library Committee in 1902, and in later years became vice-chairman, from 1926 to 1936.
Some years' research into the subject of dew-ponds culminated in several papers, and a book which ran to three editions. His observations were extended when, in about 1908, he provided himself with quarters atClayton Windmills, allowing him to make observations and measurementshigh up on the downs at all times of day and night.
He was closely concerned with conservation again between about 1913 and the 1920s, during the long dispute about Croydon Corporation's plans to demolish the Trinity Hospital of John Whitgift (the Whitgift Almhouses) to make North End wider for the passage of the trams. This particular battle was fought all the way to the House of Lords - and the corporation lost. Ironically, now, the trams have long gone, we have plans for a ring-road and already have an underpass at Park Lane and a flyover, and it appears that both North End and George Street may wellbecome a pedestrian precinct!
In 1919, eighteen years' observations of coastal erosion resulted in publication of a paper on weathering at Black Rock, Brighton. "Life ina Sussex Windmill" was published in 1920, and "Natural History and Antiquities of Croydon" three years later. This latter book was a reprinted collection of popular notes and articles from the Croydon TImes.
After his retirement, he produced a book "Outlines of Sussex Geology"in 1932, and became active with the Brighton and Hove Natural HistorySociety - he was a member of that Society's Council about 1938.
Author: Paul W Sowan, Secretary, Croydon Natural History and Scientific Society Ltd
Bibliography:
Undated Publications:
The Brighton Rubble-Drift Formation. Hastings and East Sussex Naturalist 3(1), 64-67 + p1.5
Coal Mines under Surrey, Surrey Magazine 2, 245
Grange Wood Museum Guides, published by Croydon Corporation
Guide to the Anthropological Collection 14pp
Roman Remains In and Around Croydon
Save the Whitgift Hospital - leaflet
To Save the Whitgift Hospital - a short history. Leaflet.
Dated Publications:
Afield to Margate and in the Isle of Thanet - The Field Club 2(1), 9-10 dated 1891
Amidst Nature's Realms: a series of Zoological, Botanical and Geological Essays, London: xiv and 157 pp dated 1892
Glimpses into Nature's Secrets, or Strolls on Beach and Down. 2nd Edition, London x 131 pp - dated 1892
Foreign Boulders in the Chalk, Geol. Mag, Dec 4 4 169 - dated 1897
Croydon, Old and New - dated 1898
Croydon Water, Science Gossip n.s 5, p. 93 dated 1898
A Field Club Ramble, Nature Notes p, p. 210 dated 1898
New Borings round London, Science Gossip n.s 5, 118 - 119 dated 1898
Norwood and Croydon Notes, Science Gossip n.s 5, p. 158 dated 1898
Some Founders of Geology Ibid 11-12 dated 1898
Beneath the Devil's Dyke Ibid 52-53 dated 1898
Brighton Cliff Formation Ibid p. 376 dated 1898
Fossil Resin in the Chalk Ibid n.s 6, p. 119, dated 1899
A History of Chalk, Ibid n.s. 6, 12 - 14, 41 - 43, 78 - 79, 115 - 117, 142 - 143, 198 - 199, 235, 306 - 307, 336 - 337, 368 dated 1899-1900
Preservation of Croham Hurst, Ibid n.s 5, 321-322, dated 1899
The Preservation of Croham Hurst, Ibid n.s 6, p. 31, dated 1899
The Surrey Bourne, Ibid n.s 6, p.318 - dated 1900
Coal Mines under Surrey, Surrey Magazine 2(7), 245-246, dated 1900
Gilbert White of Selbourne. Abstract of Reports and Annual Report, Brighton & hove Nat. Hist. and Philosoph. Soc., y.e June 13th 1900, 10 -12, dated 1900
Neolithic Hut-Circles near Hayes and Keston, Science Gossip n.s 7, p.157 - dated 1900
A Ramble over Oxted Downs, Surrey Magazine 2(4), 132 - 144 - dated 1900
Westow Hill Gravels, Science Gossip n.s 7, p. 124 dated 1900
The Protection and Preservation of Plants, South Eastern Naturalist for 1902, 36 - 40, dated 1902
Rubble Drift and Dry Chalk Valleys, Science Gossip n.s 8, 326 - 328 dated 1902
Croydon New and Old, Jointly with J.E Morris
Homeland Association Handbook 7 dated 1904
Sea Erosion and Coast Protection. S.E Naturalist for 1906, 35 - 49 dated 1906
How Long Ago in Geology. Geological Magazine, dec. 5,4 (518_, 349 - 351, dated 1907
Palaeozoic Rocks under South Eastern England, Kn. and Sci. News, August 1908 (Reprinted as a leaflet) 11 pp. dated 1908
Some Considerations concerning dew ponds, South Eastern England Naturalist for 1908 66 - 85 dated 1908
The Lives and Habits of the Hydra, the May-Fly. Proc. Holmesdale Natural History Club for 1906-09 page 9, dated 1910
Results of Dew Pond Investigation, South Eastern Naturalist for 1910,20-28 dated 1910
Some Amenities of Old South Norwood, Corporation of Croydon: Grange Wood Museum, dated 1912
Whitgift Hospital, Croydon. Selborne Magazine 24 ( 278), 23-24 dated 1913
Croydon's Commons and How they were disposed of, reprinted from Croydon Advertiser, 31 January 1914 by Jesse W Ward
Abstract of Lecture on Dew Ponds, Abstr. of Rep. & Ann. Rep. Brighton& Hove Natural History Society 1914
Token Money in Croydon. Trans. Corydon Natural History & Scientific Society 8(1), 1- 4 dated 1915
Skulls and Haws of Ancient Man and his implements. S.E Naturalist for1917,23-37 dated 1917
Anglo-Saxon Remains in and Around Croydon. Corporation of Croydon: Grange Wood Museum 16 pp. dated 1918
Kenley Command [Comment on its closure for use as an aerodrome and flying ground] S E Naturalist dated 1919 p. lxiii
Whitgift's Hospital, Croydon. S E Naturalist for 1923
Problems in Anthropology S E Naturalist for 1925
Coal and its story. What it is, Whence it comes and Whither it Goes,Hodder and Stoughton xii + 13 - 320 pp, dated 1926
Break-Names in Geological History, S.E Naturalist for 1926
The Makings of Pearls, Ibid for 1931 (36), 13 - 19 dated 1931
Outlines of Sussex Geology, and other Essays. London: Archer and Co 204. pp 1932
Obituary by A.S Woodward, Quarterly Journal of the Geological Societyof London 100, lxxiv dated 1944
Supplement:
A Bibliography of Gilbert White, the Natural Historian and Antiquarian of Selborne, Westminster: Roxborough Press xiv + 274 pp. dated 1896
The Story of the Fight for Croham Hurst, with a Brief Description of its Beauties. 23 pp illus. leaflet, reprinted from Croydon Advertiser of 9 March 1901 and the Surrey Magazine of April 1901.
Biographical Note. CPL Surrey Collection: Newscuttings, 2 pp., 1 port. ps70(92) - dated 1924
An Appreciation of E.A Martin's Resignation from the Libraries Committe 4pp, 1 port; bibliogr. CPL: S70(92) dated 1937
Alderman Henry Martin
Race Stand Trustee.
Member of the Sussex Board for Local Examinations
Vice President for Brighton Volunteer Fire Brigade
Connected by marriage to Mr George Hawkins, "formerly Traffic Managerof the LB&SCR (London, Brighton and South Coast Railway)". Major G W Hawkins RA was his nephew. Source: Funeral Report in Sussex Daily 1/5/1885.
Brighton Directories give his occupation as "Saddler and Harness Maker to the Queen and Royal Family"
1813: Modern Biography, Frederick Boase, Vol 2 Pub Frank Cass, 1965 p767 has birth as 10.5.1813 at Ringmer. However, the 1881 census return gives his place of birth as Steyning, Sussex and his age as 67 (giving a DOB circa 1814). His obituary in the Sussex Daily News gave his DOBas10/5/1813 at Ringmer.
1822: Date of Birth 10/5/1822 came from Dr R Grey and the Brighton Times Album.
18??: As a boy played cricket in the middle of the day in the street in front of his father's North Street Premises
18??: A Town Commisioner (as was his father before him) and was an Oversee (of the poor?)
1851 January: Challenged Thackery during his lecture "The Four Georges" at the Town Hall. Source: Life in Brighton by Clifford Musgrove, ISBN 0 571 09285-3
1852&53: Elected Director (of the workhouse?)
1854&55: Elected a member of the Board of Guardians of the Poor
Probably the only glimpse the poor people had of the better part of the building was when they were summoned before the BOARD OF GUARDIANS in the impressive court-like boardroom. This was either to plead theircase or be severely reprimanded for being caught doing part-time workwhile drawing Public Assistance
http://www.bygones.org.uk/page_id__232_path__0p2p14p.aspx
The Workhouse, a spacious building, was erected in 1820: it is situated on the Dyke-road, and is capable of receiving 600 inmates. The board of guardians meet every Tuesday. A new workhouse is now (1866) in the course of erection, and forms an extensive pile of buildings, situate on the Race Hill, about a mile north-east of the town: it covers anarea of 7 acres of land: cost of building, £31,147.
http://steve.pickthall.users.btopenworld.com/ssx1867/brighton1867a.html
1854 May: Elected Councillor for Pavilion Ward on the Incorporation of the Town Hall in May 1854 and continued to represent the ward untilhis death
1856-58: Churchwarden
1859: Alderman from January 1859 to his death
1864-65: Steward and one of the auditors of the Brighton Fat Stock Show.
1865 November: Elected Mayor of Brighton and Chief Magistrate.
1866 Easter Monday: Officiated "at the then annual Volunteer Review on the Downs in the presence of the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince George and Princess Mary of Cambridge, Prince Hohenlow, Prince Teck, and a host of nobilities. The occasion was in all respects most successful, and the Prince of Wales afterwards expressed himself to that effect in a letter to the mayor. At its conclusion the Royal Visitors and their suite, together with the Corporation, were entertained to a sumptous luncheon in the Royal Pavilion."
1866: Opened West Pier 6/10/1866 Source: Newspaper Cutting, Brighton and Hove Gazette 20th July 1974)
1865-1866: Major Of Brighton
Occupation: Saddler, Councillor, Alderman
1866: Officiated at start of work 17/2/1866 on the Kemp Town branch of the LB&SC Railway and at a ceremony to mark the completion of the line on 6/8/1869, receivin a massive silver trowel from the contractorsto mark the occasion. Source: Press Cutting "100 Years Ago" from localpaper dated 8/8/1969.
1866: On the expiration of the Alderman's year of office, the town presented him with a massive candelabra, epergne and plateau as well as a salver in appreciation of his services.
1866: He presented a full length portrait of himself to the Town and in 1885 this was hanging in the Council Chamber.
1871: Author of "History of Brighton and its Environs", second edition published 1871 by John Beal of East Street, Brighton. He gave a copy of the book to Earl de la Warr.
1873: Magistrate from 23/1/1873 to death.
1875: Cartoon of him in Case II (item 1) in Brighton History Room of Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, Church St, Brighton. 10/12/1822. Cartoon is entitled "Senior Alderman" and is no 25 in the Brightonian series circa 1875. The Brightonian was the magazine of Brighton College. Item No 2 in the same case is a cartoon entitled "A Satirical Cartoon of Brighton Legislation" (from the Brighton Figaro?) circa 1890. A number of prominent individuals are featured in this, Henry Martin occupies a prominent position in the bottom centre; he is depicted sitting on a hobby horse, the body of which is formed from a book entitled "History of Brighton"
1878: The "Brighton Times Album", a supplement to the Brighton Times of 25/10/1878 was devoted to Alderman Henry Martin. This was a monthlyseries that featured prominent local people with biographies, a pastedin "Talbotype" photograph by Messrs Hennah and Kent of 108 King's Road, Brighton and facsimiles of their signatures. (These notes came fromnotes by Henry's grandson from Dr Ronald Grey at Emmanual College, Cambridge). The Brighton Times says in 1878 there were 7 Henry Martins,all eldest sons of eldest sons (presumably including his some Henry born in 1850; I think that at this date there was only a line of 5).
1879 7th June: The Sussex Daily News on the 25th Anniversary of the Incorporation of the Town reported "only two of the whole number [of councillors] are in the Town Council now; namely Alderman Henry Martin and Alderman Mr R M Webb and only the former has been in office continuously for the whole of the 25 years"
1881 Census: PRO HO 1094, folio 39, page 2: address was 5 Powis Square, Brighton
1881: Listed in Deacon's Court Guide, Gazeteer and County Blue Book, page 195 as living at 5 Powis Square, Brighton
1885: See Sussex Daily News Saturday 25/4/1885 p6 col 3&4 which contained an extensive obituary and Friday 1/5/1885 page 8, col 3 which hada long report of the funeral the previous day and listed many of the mourners. The LB&SCR closed its workshops (nearly 1000 railway staff lined the funeral route), the railway steamers at Newhaven flew their flags at half mast and some Brighton shops closed out of respect.
1891 Census 5 Powis Square lists Agnes Martin, Head, living on her own means, age 65 born Sussex, Hastings & Catherine Bingham, companion,wid, 61, born Cornwall.
Day pier was toast of the town
From the archive, first published Wednesday 8th Jan 2003.
It is almost 140 years since the West Pier in Brighton packed the seafront with spectators, as Yvonne Williams' old newspaper picture shows.
When Yvonne heard the historic structure had collapsed, she dug into her and husband Terry's collection of Brighton mementoes to find a newspaper cutting from the day it opened.
On 13 October, 1866, the pier was the toast of the town.
It was called 'one of the finest structures in Europe' and its Victorian elegance was described as 'an ornament to the town'.
Ironically, newspaper reports also applauded the pier for its 'solidarity of construction', which they rated as unrivalled.
Yvonne, a grandmother of Telscombe Cliffs Way, Telscombe, could not help comparing reports from the time with our reports about the pier's tragic collapse.
She and her partner Terry, an avid collector of Brighton memorabilia,found the old framed cutting in a car boot sale.
The couple are regulars at car boot sales but they could not have realised then that their framed article would become such an important reminder of a time when the pier stood proud and firm.
Yvonne said: "It's so sad the pier has been allowed to fall into its current state.
"It made me go and find this cutting and see how it was in its heyday."
The cutting, from the Illustrated London News, details the splendour of Eugenius Birch's creation and the lavish celebration that followed its official opening.
MPs, the Mayor of Brighton, Henry Martin, workmen carrying flags and banners, the coastguard and two military bands formed a procession to the head of the pier.
Speakers praised the 'plainness yet beauty' of its structure and its 'lightness of appearance'.
One commented: "The solidarity of its construction and the amount of its accommodation is quite unrivalled."
The report records how the pier had seating for more than 2,000 people and how the lower level could accommodate bath chairs.
It mentions how ornamental houses and weather screens were situated so 'promenaders could sit sheltered'. And it comments on the usefulness of the landing for steamers and boats under the head of the pier, which could be used 'at all stages of the tide'.
During the celebrations, the Royal Standard was hoisted over the pierand a 21-gun salute fired.
The mayor 'expressed the hope the public might find on the pier health, amusement and pleasure'.
The opening was followed by a banquet at the Royal Pavilion and an 'illumination by fireworks'.
Accompanying the piece is a sketch of the celebratory scene, completewith promenaders in their finery and VIPs on horseback.
Yvonne said: "I used to go to the pier as a child. I remember playingin the paddling pool and looking at the pier and thinking what a wonderful thing it was.
"I always thought it was more beautiful than the Palace Pier. It had more character.
"It's terrible that nothing has been done for all these years. Despite its sad state, I would like to see it rebuilt. It's such a huge part of Brighton and Hove."
http://archive.theargus.co.uk/2003/1/8/143061.html
Built in 1866-9 by the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway Company under an Act of May 1864, the KempTown branch line was opened principally to fend off a possible rival line into eastern Brighton. The first turf was cut by the mayor, Henry Martin, on 17 February 1866, and the line opened on 2 August 1869. It was a single track, 1 mile 726 yards long, leaving the Lewes line 1,606 yards from Brighton at Kemp Town Junction; the short section from the junction to Lewes Road Stationwas doubled in July 1895. The journey from Brighton was therefore over2.3 miles long, about twice the distance by road.
http://www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk/page_id__8192.aspx
Member of the Sussex Board for Local Examinations
Vice President for Brighton Volunteer Fire Brigade
Connected by marriage to Mr George Hawkins, "formerly Traffic Managerof the LB&SCR (London, Brighton and South Coast Railway)". Major G W Hawkins RA was his nephew. Source: Funeral Report in Sussex Daily 1/5/1885.
Brighton Directories give his occupation as "Saddler and Harness Maker to the Queen and Royal Family"
1813: Modern Biography, Frederick Boase, Vol 2 Pub Frank Cass, 1965 p767 has birth as 10.5.1813 at Ringmer. However, the 1881 census return gives his place of birth as Steyning, Sussex and his age as 67 (giving a DOB circa 1814). His obituary in the Sussex Daily News gave his DOBas10/5/1813 at Ringmer.
1822: Date of Birth 10/5/1822 came from Dr R Grey and the Brighton Times Album.
18??: As a boy played cricket in the middle of the day in the street in front of his father's North Street Premises
18??: A Town Commisioner (as was his father before him) and was an Oversee (of the poor?)
1851 January: Challenged Thackery during his lecture "The Four Georges" at the Town Hall. Source: Life in Brighton by Clifford Musgrove, ISBN 0 571 09285-3
1852&53: Elected Director (of the workhouse?)
1854&55: Elected a member of the Board of Guardians of the Poor
Probably the only glimpse the poor people had of the better part of the building was when they were summoned before the BOARD OF GUARDIANS in the impressive court-like boardroom. This was either to plead theircase or be severely reprimanded for being caught doing part-time workwhile drawing Public Assistance
http://www.bygones.org.uk/page_id__232_path__0p2p14p.aspx
The Workhouse, a spacious building, was erected in 1820: it is situated on the Dyke-road, and is capable of receiving 600 inmates. The board of guardians meet every Tuesday. A new workhouse is now (1866) in the course of erection, and forms an extensive pile of buildings, situate on the Race Hill, about a mile north-east of the town: it covers anarea of 7 acres of land: cost of building, £31,147.
http://steve.pickthall.users.btopenworld.com/ssx1867/brighton1867a.html
1854 May: Elected Councillor for Pavilion Ward on the Incorporation of the Town Hall in May 1854 and continued to represent the ward untilhis death
1856-58: Churchwarden
1859: Alderman from January 1859 to his death
1864-65: Steward and one of the auditors of the Brighton Fat Stock Show.
1865 November: Elected Mayor of Brighton and Chief Magistrate.
1866 Easter Monday: Officiated "at the then annual Volunteer Review on the Downs in the presence of the Prince and Princess of Wales, Prince George and Princess Mary of Cambridge, Prince Hohenlow, Prince Teck, and a host of nobilities. The occasion was in all respects most successful, and the Prince of Wales afterwards expressed himself to that effect in a letter to the mayor. At its conclusion the Royal Visitors and their suite, together with the Corporation, were entertained to a sumptous luncheon in the Royal Pavilion."
1866: Opened West Pier 6/10/1866 Source: Newspaper Cutting, Brighton and Hove Gazette 20th July 1974)
1865-1866: Major Of Brighton
Occupation: Saddler, Councillor, Alderman
1866: Officiated at start of work 17/2/1866 on the Kemp Town branch of the LB&SC Railway and at a ceremony to mark the completion of the line on 6/8/1869, receivin a massive silver trowel from the contractorsto mark the occasion. Source: Press Cutting "100 Years Ago" from localpaper dated 8/8/1969.
1866: On the expiration of the Alderman's year of office, the town presented him with a massive candelabra, epergne and plateau as well as a salver in appreciation of his services.
1866: He presented a full length portrait of himself to the Town and in 1885 this was hanging in the Council Chamber.
1871: Author of "History of Brighton and its Environs", second edition published 1871 by John Beal of East Street, Brighton. He gave a copy of the book to Earl de la Warr.
1873: Magistrate from 23/1/1873 to death.
1875: Cartoon of him in Case II (item 1) in Brighton History Room of Brighton Museum and Art Gallery, Church St, Brighton. 10/12/1822. Cartoon is entitled "Senior Alderman" and is no 25 in the Brightonian series circa 1875. The Brightonian was the magazine of Brighton College. Item No 2 in the same case is a cartoon entitled "A Satirical Cartoon of Brighton Legislation" (from the Brighton Figaro?) circa 1890. A number of prominent individuals are featured in this, Henry Martin occupies a prominent position in the bottom centre; he is depicted sitting on a hobby horse, the body of which is formed from a book entitled "History of Brighton"
1878: The "Brighton Times Album", a supplement to the Brighton Times of 25/10/1878 was devoted to Alderman Henry Martin. This was a monthlyseries that featured prominent local people with biographies, a pastedin "Talbotype" photograph by Messrs Hennah and Kent of 108 King's Road, Brighton and facsimiles of their signatures. (These notes came fromnotes by Henry's grandson from Dr Ronald Grey at Emmanual College, Cambridge). The Brighton Times says in 1878 there were 7 Henry Martins,all eldest sons of eldest sons (presumably including his some Henry born in 1850; I think that at this date there was only a line of 5).
1879 7th June: The Sussex Daily News on the 25th Anniversary of the Incorporation of the Town reported "only two of the whole number [of councillors] are in the Town Council now; namely Alderman Henry Martin and Alderman Mr R M Webb and only the former has been in office continuously for the whole of the 25 years"
1881 Census: PRO HO 1094, folio 39, page 2: address was 5 Powis Square, Brighton
1881: Listed in Deacon's Court Guide, Gazeteer and County Blue Book, page 195 as living at 5 Powis Square, Brighton
1885: See Sussex Daily News Saturday 25/4/1885 p6 col 3&4 which contained an extensive obituary and Friday 1/5/1885 page 8, col 3 which hada long report of the funeral the previous day and listed many of the mourners. The LB&SCR closed its workshops (nearly 1000 railway staff lined the funeral route), the railway steamers at Newhaven flew their flags at half mast and some Brighton shops closed out of respect.
1891 Census 5 Powis Square lists Agnes Martin, Head, living on her own means, age 65 born Sussex, Hastings & Catherine Bingham, companion,wid, 61, born Cornwall.
Day pier was toast of the town
From the archive, first published Wednesday 8th Jan 2003.
It is almost 140 years since the West Pier in Brighton packed the seafront with spectators, as Yvonne Williams' old newspaper picture shows.
When Yvonne heard the historic structure had collapsed, she dug into her and husband Terry's collection of Brighton mementoes to find a newspaper cutting from the day it opened.
On 13 October, 1866, the pier was the toast of the town.
It was called 'one of the finest structures in Europe' and its Victorian elegance was described as 'an ornament to the town'.
Ironically, newspaper reports also applauded the pier for its 'solidarity of construction', which they rated as unrivalled.
Yvonne, a grandmother of Telscombe Cliffs Way, Telscombe, could not help comparing reports from the time with our reports about the pier's tragic collapse.
She and her partner Terry, an avid collector of Brighton memorabilia,found the old framed cutting in a car boot sale.
The couple are regulars at car boot sales but they could not have realised then that their framed article would become such an important reminder of a time when the pier stood proud and firm.
Yvonne said: "It's so sad the pier has been allowed to fall into its current state.
"It made me go and find this cutting and see how it was in its heyday."
The cutting, from the Illustrated London News, details the splendour of Eugenius Birch's creation and the lavish celebration that followed its official opening.
MPs, the Mayor of Brighton, Henry Martin, workmen carrying flags and banners, the coastguard and two military bands formed a procession to the head of the pier.
Speakers praised the 'plainness yet beauty' of its structure and its 'lightness of appearance'.
One commented: "The solidarity of its construction and the amount of its accommodation is quite unrivalled."
The report records how the pier had seating for more than 2,000 people and how the lower level could accommodate bath chairs.
It mentions how ornamental houses and weather screens were situated so 'promenaders could sit sheltered'. And it comments on the usefulness of the landing for steamers and boats under the head of the pier, which could be used 'at all stages of the tide'.
During the celebrations, the Royal Standard was hoisted over the pierand a 21-gun salute fired.
The mayor 'expressed the hope the public might find on the pier health, amusement and pleasure'.
The opening was followed by a banquet at the Royal Pavilion and an 'illumination by fireworks'.
Accompanying the piece is a sketch of the celebratory scene, completewith promenaders in their finery and VIPs on horseback.
Yvonne said: "I used to go to the pier as a child. I remember playingin the paddling pool and looking at the pier and thinking what a wonderful thing it was.
"I always thought it was more beautiful than the Palace Pier. It had more character.
"It's terrible that nothing has been done for all these years. Despite its sad state, I would like to see it rebuilt. It's such a huge part of Brighton and Hove."
http://archive.theargus.co.uk/2003/1/8/143061.html
Built in 1866-9 by the London, Brighton and South Coast Railway Company under an Act of May 1864, the KempTown branch line was opened principally to fend off a possible rival line into eastern Brighton. The first turf was cut by the mayor, Henry Martin, on 17 February 1866, and the line opened on 2 August 1869. It was a single track, 1 mile 726 yards long, leaving the Lewes line 1,606 yards from Brighton at Kemp Town Junction; the short section from the junction to Lewes Road Stationwas doubled in July 1895. The journey from Brighton was therefore over2.3 miles long, about twice the distance by road.
http://www.mybrightonandhove.org.uk/page_id__8192.aspx
Henry Miller Martin aka Henry "Miller" Martin
When he marriend Mary Trowell he was 24 and he was 23, the parish records should be in the Manuscripts Section or the Guildhall Library, Aldermanbury, London, EC2p 2EJ
His obituary was in the Sussex Weekly Advertised 22/1/1798 and he waskeen on hunting.
See page 117 and 118 of The History of Brighton and It's environs:
"Application was then made to Mr Henry Martin of Brighton....for premises belonging to him.....at Ashton Green...he concurred in the view that it was very desirable that the hounds be brought nearer to Brighton... This proerty formerly belonged to Mr Henry Martin, farmer and miller (great grnadfather of the above) a man of some note in his time and excessively fond of hunting witht he pack of harriers.
Charles Fleet was his great grandson and wrote Tales and Sketches forFireside Reading in 1849. See story My Grandfathers Hat
he was a member of the sussex Yeomanry, his sargeant was Burly, the troop captain was his landlord and Sir Ferdinano Poole was the Colonel.His youngest son was named after Sir Ferdinando Poole.
According to Dr William Martin in his book Reminiscences (Sussex ArchSoc Olive Martin bequest 1985.29.100) asserts that he had two wives with nine children by the first wife and at least by his second wife whoDr Martin recorded as Mary Ashton, by repute the daughter of clergyman.
Henry lived at Ashton Cottage, Ashton Green in ringmer.
According to Dr John Kay he ddi not own Ringmer Mill continuously hisson Henry (see number 698 in Philip Martin's book) took it over for aperiod before it reverted back to him. Where was he whilst his son owned it?
mrs Heathfield (2252 in (PMs book) was his great grand daughter, she said in a letter 11 7 1899 that the second wife was a widow named Bookwith two daughters - see Sussex Family History group Bax Misc Martin document
His obituary was in the Sussex Weekly Advertised 22/1/1798 and he waskeen on hunting.
See page 117 and 118 of The History of Brighton and It's environs:
"Application was then made to Mr Henry Martin of Brighton....for premises belonging to him.....at Ashton Green...he concurred in the view that it was very desirable that the hounds be brought nearer to Brighton... This proerty formerly belonged to Mr Henry Martin, farmer and miller (great grnadfather of the above) a man of some note in his time and excessively fond of hunting witht he pack of harriers.
Charles Fleet was his great grandson and wrote Tales and Sketches forFireside Reading in 1849. See story My Grandfathers Hat
he was a member of the sussex Yeomanry, his sargeant was Burly, the troop captain was his landlord and Sir Ferdinano Poole was the Colonel.His youngest son was named after Sir Ferdinando Poole.
According to Dr William Martin in his book Reminiscences (Sussex ArchSoc Olive Martin bequest 1985.29.100) asserts that he had two wives with nine children by the first wife and at least by his second wife whoDr Martin recorded as Mary Ashton, by repute the daughter of clergyman.
Henry lived at Ashton Cottage, Ashton Green in ringmer.
According to Dr John Kay he ddi not own Ringmer Mill continuously hisson Henry (see number 698 in Philip Martin's book) took it over for aperiod before it reverted back to him. Where was he whilst his son owned it?
mrs Heathfield (2252 in (PMs book) was his great grand daughter, she said in a letter 11 7 1899 that the second wife was a widow named Bookwith two daughters - see Sussex Family History group Bax Misc Martin document
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