Adolphus Charles White 6th October 1902 White Adolphus Charles Of 36 Parkhill road Hampstead Middlesex died 4 September 1902. Probate London 6 October 1902 to Robert George May solicitor. Effects 3,130 6s 2d. Robert George May Of 8 Coleman Street in the City Of London, one Of the executors named in the will Charles Chinner Fuller the other executor named in the said will having renounced probate thereof Gross value Of estate £3130.6.2 net value Of Personal Estate £2148.4.5 I ADOLPHUS CHARLES WHITE Of No 36 Parkhill Road Hampstead in the County of Middlesex hereby revoke all former Wills Codicils and testamentary dispositions made by me and declare this to be my last will. my gold signet ring.. house No 36 Parkhill Road aforesaid and all the musical compositions both vocal and for the pianoforte belonging to me at the time Of my death . And it is my wish that the same should not be sold but that on his death the same should be given by him to some member Of my family but I hereby declare that this expression Of my wishes should not be treated asimposing any obligation by way Of trust . which the same is held Together with all my furniture fixtures garden implements plate plated goods linen china books pictures ornaments wines provisions and other household effects (including the piano in my said dining room) which shall be in about or belonging to my said house at the time Of my decease except such as are otherwise specifically bequeathed by this my will . and now in the occupation Of Pepper and Day respectively including all rents due or accruing due at the time Of my death from or in respect Of the same Surgeon individually and without reference to his office Of Executor Of this my will . N. W. Committee Clerk to H. M. Board Of Customs - On the 6th Day Of October 1902 Probate Of this Will was granted to Robert George May one Of the Executors. 1. - 'I bequeath to my nephew Arthur Lionel Pedder my gold studs and sleeve links and also my gold signet ring' 2. - 'I bequeath to my niece Alice Kate May (wife Of Robert George May Of Grena Lodge Richmond in the County Of Surrey) my blue enamelled diamond ring also the oil painting Of Dr Johnson visiting Lord Chesterfield painted by my late wife now in the drawing room Of my house No 36 Parkhill Road aforesaid and all the musical compositions both vocal and for the pianoforte belonging to me at the time Of my death' 3. - 'I bequeath to my nephew William White (son Of my late brother Samuel Ethelbert White) the Silver Sword presented to me by the officers and men Of the B. Company Of the 20th Middlesex Volunteer Corps (the artists) And it is my wish that the same should not be sold but that on his death the same should be given by him to some member Of my family but I hereby declare that this expression Of my wishes should not be treated as imposing any obligation by way Of trust' 4. - 'I bequeath to the said Robert George May my gold American Dollar Studs and sleeve links and my gold nugget scarf pin' 5. - 'I bequeath to my niece Eva Anderson (daughter Of my sister Sarah Augusta Mills Anderson) the share now standing in my name in the Army and Navy Co-operative Society Limited Of Victoria Street Westminster' 6. - 'I bequeath to my friend Augustus H. Collet Of Worthing in the County Of Sussex Doctor Of Medicine all the volumes Of "Punch" now in the Chippendale Cabinet in the dining room Of my said house' 7. - 'I bequeath to my sister-in-law Charlotte Biddle Widow the said Chippendale Cabinet' 8. - 'I bequeath to my niece Minnie E.Mc Blain (wife Of David R. Mc Blain) all the furniture bedstead and bedding pictures ornaments carpet rugs and other articles which at the time Of my death shall be in the front bedroom Of my said house' 9. - 'I bequeath to my housekeeper Helen Davers Liddell all the furniture bedstead and bedding pictures ornaments carpet rugs and other articles which at the time Of my death shall be in the back bedroom on the first floor on my said house and also the oil portrait Of myself (with the double bass) now in my said dining room' 10. - 'I bequeath to my Godson Richard Collet (son Of the said Dr A. H. Collet Of Worthing) my gold watch and chain' 11. - 'I bequeath to my friend Kate Wrentmore (wife Of Harris Isaac Wrentmore) Of no 23 Parkhill Road Hampstead aforesaid the oval oil painting painted by my late Wife Of a Dr Johnson visiting Lord Chesterfield now hanging on the wall in my said Drawing room also the Oil painting by my late Wife Of "Phoebe" now hanging over the door in my said Drawing room' 12. - 'I bequeath to my niece Bertha Pressland (wife Of Edward Pressland) the oil portraits Of myself and Of my late wife now in my said Drawing room' 13. - 'I bequeath to Caroline Pedder Of no 8 Montague Road Richmond aforesaid Widow the oil painting Of a bride now in my said Drawing room also the oil painting Of a Boy with a Monkey now in my said Drawing room and the oil portrait Of Mrs Biddle now in my said Dining room' 14. - 'I bequeath to Caroline Hannah Grissel Atkinson Of No 15 Onslow Road Richmond aforesaid Widow my ebony worktable also the four Japanese tables now in my said Drawing room' 15. - 'I bequeath to Christina Swinhoe Of No 19 Dorset Gardens Brighton in the County Of Sussex Widow the piano now in my said Drawing room and the three gilt mirrors hanging on the wall in my said Drawing room also the card table in my said drawing room' 16. - 'I bequeath to my said niece Eva Anderson the cabinet in my said Drawing room with its contents also the oil portrait Of my late father now in my said Drawing room and all my pictures except those otherwise specifically bequeathed by this my will now in my said drawing room' 17. - 'I bequeath to my friend Frank Alner Hadland Of No 20 Clifton Road Crouch End in the County Of Middlesex aforesaid my four stringed bass (by William Forster) together with the bow and also my Quartette Music Stand and all the compositions for double basses belonging to me at the time Of my death and I declare that all the specific legacies hereinbefore bequeathed shall be free from legacy duty' 18. - 'I bequeath to my niece Elizabeth Wallington (wife Of Edwin Wallington) her executors administrators and assigns absolutely all my leasehold messuage together with the garden belonging thereto being No 36 Parkhill Road aforesaid wherein I now reside for all my term and interest therein subject to the payment Of the rent and performance Of the covenants under which the same is held Together with all my furniture fixtures garden implements plate plated goods linen china books pictures ornaments wines provisions and other household effects (including the piano in my said dining room) which shall be in about or belonging to my said house at the time Of my decease except such as are otherwise specifically bequeathed by this my will' 19. - 'I devise unto and to the use Of my nephew Ethelbert White (son Of my late brother the said Samuel Ethelbert White) his heirs and assigns All my two freehold houses with the outbuildings and gardens belonging thereto being Nos 2 and 3 St Alphage Lane Canterbury aforesaid and now in the occupation Of Pepper and Day respectively including all rents due or accruing due at the time Of my death from or in respect Of the same' 20. - 'I bequeath the following legacies (free from legacy duty) namely the sum Of Five hundred pounds to my said housekeeper Helen Davers Liddell' 21. - 'also the sum Of Twenty pounds each to the said Elizabeth Wallington the said Bertha Pressland my nephews the said Ethelbert White and the said William White (sons Of my late brother the said Samuel Ethelbert White)' 22. - 'Also the sum Of Twenty pounds each to my nieces Gertrude Biddle Constance Biddle and Beatrice biddle (daughters Of my late Brother in law Major John Biddle)' 22. - 'Also the sum Of Twenty pounds to my said Godson Richard Collet' 23. - 'also the sum Of Ten pounds to Maggie Flynn now in my service' 24. - 'also the sum Of Twenty pounds to the said Robert George May individually and without reference to his office Of Executor Of this my will' 25. - 'And the sum Of Fifty pounds to my friend Charles Chinner Fuller Of No 10 St Andrews Place Regents Park London Surgeon individually and without reference to his office Of Executor Of this my will' 26. - 'I devise unto and to the use Of the said Robert George May and Charles Chinner Fuller Of No 10 St Andrews Place Regents Park in the County Of Middlesex aforesaid or the survivor Of them or other the Trustees or Trustee for the time being Of this my will (hereinafter called my trustees) All my six freehold houses with the outbuildings and gardens belonging thereto being No 22 Best Lane No 7 Orange Street Nos 16 and 17 King Street and Nos 24 and 25 Cross Street St Dunstans all situate at Canterbury in the County Of Kent and now in the occupation Of Ellenor Brown Langford Fairbrass Harding and Sparkes respectively Upon trust to let and manage the same at their own absolute discretion and to receive the rents issues and profits Of the same and after paying all necessary outgoings in respect thereof and the expenses Of keeping the same insured against loss or damage by fire and in good repair and all other necessary expenses Of the upkeep and management Of the said property to pay the surplus or net rents and profits to my two nieces the said Eva Anderson and Amethyst Anderson (daughters Of my said sister Sarah Augusta Mills Anderson) during their respective lives in equal shares as tenants in common and so that during coverture the same shall be for their separate use without power Of anticipation and after the death Of either Of them upon trust to pay the whole Of the said net rents and profits to the survivor during her life and so that during coverture the same shall be for her separate use without power Of anticipation and subject thereto Upon trust for my two grand nephews Edgar Wallington and Robert Wallington (sons Of the said Elizabeth Wallington) as tennants in common in fee simple' 27. - 'I appoint the said Robert George May and Charles Chinner Fuller EXECUTORS and TRUSTEES Of this my Will And I declare that they shall have full power to determine all questions and matters Of doubt arising under this my Will and in particular to determine in their absolute discretion what articles pass under the several bequests hereinbefore contained And I declare that the said Robert George May shall be entitled to make and receive all such charges and emoluments for business whether Of an ordinary professional or any other character done by him in relation to the administration Of my estates as he would have been entitled to make and receive in respect Of such business if he had not been an Executor' 28. - 'IN WITNESS whereof I the said Adolphus Charles White have to this my Will (contained in this and the three preceding sheets) set my hand this fourth day Of April one thousand nine hundred and two - A. C. WHITE - SIGNED and declared by the Testator as and for his last Will in the presence Of us all present at the same time who at his request in his presence and in the presence Of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses - ALFRED H. COURROUX 17 Parkhill Road Haverstock Hill N. W. Committee Clerk to H. M. Board Of Customs - G. W. RUSSEL Clerk to Mellor Smith & May 8 Coleman Street E. C.' On the 6th Day Of October 1902 Probate Of this Will was granted to Robert George May one Of the Executors. 'IN WITNESS whereof I the said Adolphus Charles White have to this my Will (contained in this and the three preceding sheets) set my hand this fourth day Of April one thousand nine hundred and two - A. C. WHITE - SIGNED and declared by the Testator as and for his last Will in the presence Of us all present at the same time who at his request in his presence and in the presence Of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses - ALFRED H. COURROUX 17 Parkhill Road Haverstock Hill N. W. Committee Clerk to H. M. Board Of Customs - G. W. RUSSEL Clerk to Mellor Smith & May 8 Coleman Street E. C.' Father: Samuel WHITE Marriage 1 Eliza Anne BIDDLE b: 11 JUN 1836 in Chelsea, Greater London, England, United Kingdom Married: 17 MAR 1864 in St Lukes, Chelsea, London, Greater London, England Census: 2 APR 1871 in 36 park Road, Hampstead, London, Greater London, England Census: 3 APR 1881 in 36 Park Road, Hampstead, London, Greater London, England |
Saturday, 31 August 2013
The will of Adolphus Charles White
Adolphus Charles White
07/11/1830 Baptism record at St Alphege shows parents Samuel (Carpenter) and Elizabeth Mary of Blackfriars
1841 census Black Friars, St Alphage, Canterbury - age 11 with parents
Chorister at Canterbury Cathedral and studied organ violin and other subjects under Dr Longhurst and later in Ireland.
Tuesday 16 May 1854 Kentish Gazette - "Here's to the flag of England; A naval song bearing this title has just been published, the production of our townsman Mr. Adolphus C. White.
It evidently bears the mark of experienced musician ; the music is spirit-stirring, and appropriate to the words; and now that public attention so directed to the exploits of our Navy, we have no doubt that the song will become popular"a Professor of Music living in Park Road Hampstead. He was born in Canterbury and when he witnesses Bertha's marriage he is then 57.
Surname: WhiteFirstname: Adolphus CharlesBorn: 10 October 1830Died: [4] {Sept 1902}Profession: Instrument: Double Bass;Piano Forte;OrganCareer: 'Performs on the Double Bass, Piano forte & organ - is engaged at Her Majesties Theatre, The New Philharmonic, Orchestral Union, and M Julliens Concerts'Admitted: 4 January 1857 Membership No: A506
He is a widower, his wife Eliza, an artist painter, born in Chelsea, is deceased.
Southern Reporter and Cork Commercial Courier - Thursday 24 March 1864
He is also Catherine’s spouse’s uncle, father Samuel’s younger brother. Adolphus (pictured) was born in 1830 and baptised in Canterbury on 7th November of that year.
The Gentleman’s Magazinereports his wedding on 17th March 1864 to Eliza Annie the 24 year old widow of Lieutenant Douglas Barbor of the 20th Native Infantry, Bengal Army. witnesses include Samuel White, Elizabeth Mary Sadlier and Susannah Harrison White (sisters) Thomas James Biddle and Sarah Biddle.
She is the daughter of Sarah Biddle, the widow of Captain John Biddle and her previous marriage in India in 1857 (to a son of a much decorated Major) had lasted only two months before her husband had been killed during the Indian Mutiny at Lucknow. (A book ‘Fatehgarh and the Mutiny’ says that he “drove his men hard”).
Also living with Sarah at 18, Avenue Terrace, Chelsea at the time of the 1861 census is her sister/sister-in-law, widow of a Major.
The 1871 census shows that she is also looking after a grandson, Robert Swinhoe age 14. Daughter Caroline from her first Marriage had died and her Will"appoint(s) Captain and Mrs John Biddle now residing at Chelsea near London in England guardians of such of my children as shall be under the age of twenty one years at the time of my decease". Robert goes to London University and becomes HM Consul to China.
15th March 1870 (probate) Sarah Biddle will "I appoint my son William Henry Hulse Anderson and my son in law Adolphus Charles White executors Of this my will"
Though they have no children, that 1871 census shows the house full of children, including a great niece and nephew and a nephew Arthur Lionel Pedder aged three from another of Eliza’s relatives.
Arthur, a beneficiary in Adolphus’s will, becomes a Fellow & Tutor of Magdelen College Oxford and a Church of England Clergyman.
At least one of the Pedder children had been born in China and few show up in any UK census. Pedder was a famous name in China; not least Robert Swinhoe’s brother in law (sister Caroline’s husband) WH Pedder.
Sent to China as a ‘second interpreter’ at 18, he progressed to become the British Consul at Amoy.
By 1897 Hong Kong has a Pedders Wharf and Hill and Pedder Street.
There is a strong closeness of a few families in early 19th century Bengal, India (and Colombo, Ceylon - linked by ship).
The ‘interlinking’ of family members would cause any fully accurate ‘family tree’ to have a nervous breakdown.
I added father and son Major Anderson’s to White sisters and a sister to a Swinhoe.
A White ‘brother’ headed for India.
Two Day sisters residing in Bengal were added in different parts of the tree (marrying a Colonel and an Army Doctor.
Other Biddle and Swinhoe siblings of their spouses were added to diverse ‘cousins’ (each with notes explaining that their close relative was ‘elsewhere’).
Journeys undertaken by many of the Indian ‘ex-pats’ mentioned, between Colombo Ceylon and Bengal, show that the Sea Captain of the vessel carrying them was John Biddle.
I typed Colonel, Major or Major-Generalas profession in a multitude of places and found many families with members who served through (or died in) the Indian Mutiny. Robert Swinhoe’s sister, Maria, married Major General Basden - son of Admiral Basden.
His Solicitor brother William married Eliza Dawes and the resulting offspring occupied many important posts in Calcutta including Dawes Swinhoe; ‘Chief Presidency Magistrate’. Another brother of Richard, an attorney in Calcutta, married another attorney and a sister married another British Consul - William Pedder.
Both William Pedder and Robert Swinhoe (FRS FRZS FRGS) were famous naturalists and much of their correspondence with Charles Darwin is preserved in his papers.
Swinhoe, also a Fellow of the Royal Society, had been a member of the British Association since 1863 and presented a paper at the 1865 meeting.
Indeed, Charles Darwin proposed him as a member of the Royal Society in 1874 and one of the letters from Darwin is to the Secretary of the Royal Society asking for another form since the original with all the signatures has got lost in the post (and Darwin proposes starting the collection again!).
One of the later letters to Darwin from Robert Swinhoe (8 Mar 1866) tells Charles that he is about to replace his brother in law Pedder as Consul in Amoy.
The Examiner London October 26, 1861 shows "Narrative of 1860 China War - illustrated" by Robert Swinhoe as history book of the week and, possibly closer to his heart, Penny Illustrated Paper (London, England), Saturday, November 14, 1868 contains an article and picture of Swinhoe's pheasant in the gardens of the Zoological Society.
In 1869 he named Aethopyga christinae (Mrs Swinhoe's Sunbird - Nectariniidae); dedicated to wife “Christina Stronach (Swinhoe)” daughter of an Edinburgh London Missionary Society couple whose (near 40 year) mission in Amoy is described as “the most successful in China”.
Adolphus White lives in Hampstead with his servants until his death in 1901. The census that year still shows the septuagenarian as a Royal Academy of Music music professor. The Athenaeum magazine reported his passing “on the fourth inst.” in detail. His exploits are too numerous to relate here but, in short, he was a chorister at Canterbury Cathedral; he studied organ, violin and other subjects under Dr Longhurst and later in Ireland. In 1858 he went to America. When he returned he performed at Her Majesty's Opera, the Philharmonic, Leeds, Birmingham, Handel and Three Choirs Festivals. In 1886/7 he wrote "The Double Bass" (quoted from extensively in the biography of Domenico Dragoneti) and in 1887 he retired from the 20th Middlesex Volunteer Corps (the artists) with the rank of Major and was presented with a silver sword (later left to nephew William Blomfield White in his will).
In 1890 Adolphus was appointed musician in ordinary to Her Majesty Queen Victoria. If you were a court “musician in ordinary” during Tudor and Stuart times, you’d be required to provide music for the Royal Household on any occasion, on call at any time of the day or night. During the 18th and early 19th centuries, members of the State Band, which performed only at coronations, were styled ‘Musician in Ordinary’ and were entitled to a salary despite often not playing a note for decades. After 1855 reforms led to the appointment of members of the leading London orchestras, including that of the opera, and were contracted to perform at court twenty times per annum, including State Concerts. Principal double bass to the Royal Italian Opera until 1897, he was organist of St Phillips Waterloo Road for 22 years. His compositions include church music, carols, songs and music for the double bass (his primer [novello] is “particularly recommended by many”) and Amazon still shows many of his songs. According to the Royal College of Music he “taught at both the RCM and the Royal Academy of Music. In addition he strengthened the College orchestra at rehearsals and at public concerts”.
29 October 1902 The Mercury (Hobart, Tasmania "Death of the King's Musician. - The death has taken place, in his 72nd year, of Mr. Adolphus Charles White, MusicÃan in Ordinary to the King, who was for many years regarded as the loading: double bass player in England. In addition to his powers in thus direction, Mr White was a capable violinist and organist, and he composed a number of church works, carols, songs, pianoforte pieces, and other music It is stated that he was also the composer of that popular ditty, "Put me in my little bed". He was for many years professor of the double bass, both at the Royal Academy and Royal College of Music, and the author of the primer for the same instrument published by Messrs. Novello and Co".
His will left more than three thousand pounds; including nine properties (eight were in Canterbury and his main residence 36 Parkhill Road Hampstead). Perhaps this was not the last of Adolphus since in January 2006 the world media reported that Gwyneth Paltrow and husband Chris Martin claimed that they were being haunted by the ghost of a 19th century musician. The pair believed their north London home, which they share with daughter Apple, was possessed by the ghost of Adolphus White who died at the property in 1902. They were so concerned that they requested an exorcism.
Maybe Adolphus Charles was looking for his silver sword .
The sword mentioned in his will but which is no longer in the family .
'I bequeath to my nephew William White (son Of my late brother
Samuel Ethelbert White) the Silver Sword presented to me by the officers
and men Of the B. Company Of the 20th Middlesex Volunteer Corps (the
artists) And it is my wish that the same should not be sold but that on
his death the same should be given by him to some member Of my family but
I hereby declare that this expression Of my wishes should not be treated
as imposing any obligation by way Of trust'
He is not the only Mr White, a professor of music, in the lives of the White siblings from the 1830’s as we have seen from his cousin Tench...
White, Adolphus Charles, contrabassist,
born in Canterlnny, October 10, 1830.
■Chorister at the Cathedral there, and studied
■organ, violin, and other subjects under Dr.
Longhurst, and later in Ireland. Returning
to Canterbury lie took up the study of the
double-bass, and, proceeding to London, re-
ceived lessons from James Howell, for whom
he soon deputised with marked success. In
1853 he went with Jullian to America. After
his return he was engaged at Her Majesty's
opera, the Philharmonic and other concerts ;
and when Howell died, in 1879, he succeeded
him at the Handel, Leeds, Birmingham
(187G-1888), and Three Choirs Festivals; and
was also i^rincipal double-bass at the Koyal
Italian opera ro 1897. He is professor of his
instrument at R.A.M., and R.C.M. ; Hon.
R.A.M., 1877 ; and, in 1890, was appointed
Musician in Ordinary to Her IMajesty the
Queen. Was for 22 years organist of St.
Philip's, Waterloo Place. Served in the
Volunteer force, retiring in 1887 with the
rank of j\Iajor, receiving a silver sword in
acknowledgment of his services. His com-
positions include church music, carols, songs,
pf. pieces, and solos for the double-bass
His Primerforthatinstrumeiit (Novello), with
appendix for the four stringed bass, is of
great merit.
He is a widower, his wife Eliza, an artist painter, born in Chelsea, is deceased.
Southern Reporter and Cork Commercial Courier - Thursday 24 March 1864
He is also Catherine’s spouse’s uncle, father Samuel’s younger brother. Adolphus (pictured) was born in 1830 and baptised in Canterbury on 7th November of that year.
The Gentleman’s Magazinereports his wedding on 17th March 1864 to Eliza Annie the 24 year old widow of Lieutenant Douglas Barbor of the 20th Native Infantry, Bengal Army. witnesses include Samuel White, Elizabeth Mary Sadlier and Susannah Harrison White (sisters) Thomas James Biddle and Sarah Biddle.
She is the daughter of Sarah Biddle, the widow of Captain John Biddle and her previous marriage in India in 1857 (to a son of a much decorated Major) had lasted only two months before her husband had been killed during the Indian Mutiny at Lucknow. (A book ‘Fatehgarh and the Mutiny’ says that he “drove his men hard”).
Also living with Sarah at 18, Avenue Terrace, Chelsea at the time of the 1861 census is her sister/sister-in-law, widow of a Major.
The 1871 census shows that she is also looking after a grandson, Robert Swinhoe age 14. Daughter Caroline from her first Marriage had died and her Will"appoint(s) Captain and Mrs John Biddle now residing at Chelsea near London in England guardians of such of my children as shall be under the age of twenty one years at the time of my decease". Robert goes to London University and becomes HM Consul to China.
15th March 1870 (probate) Sarah Biddle will "I appoint my son William Henry Hulse Anderson and my son in law Adolphus Charles White executors Of this my will"
Though they have no children, that 1871 census shows the house full of children, including a great niece and nephew and a nephew Arthur Lionel Pedder aged three from another of Eliza’s relatives.
Arthur, a beneficiary in Adolphus’s will, becomes a Fellow & Tutor of Magdelen College Oxford and a Church of England Clergyman.
At least one of the Pedder children had been born in China and few show up in any UK census. Pedder was a famous name in China; not least Robert Swinhoe’s brother in law (sister Caroline’s husband) WH Pedder.
Sent to China as a ‘second interpreter’ at 18, he progressed to become the British Consul at Amoy.
By 1897 Hong Kong has a Pedders Wharf and Hill and Pedder Street.
There is a strong closeness of a few families in early 19th century Bengal, India (and Colombo, Ceylon - linked by ship).
The ‘interlinking’ of family members would cause any fully accurate ‘family tree’ to have a nervous breakdown.
I added father and son Major Anderson’s to White sisters and a sister to a Swinhoe.
A White ‘brother’ headed for India.
Two Day sisters residing in Bengal were added in different parts of the tree (marrying a Colonel and an Army Doctor.
Other Biddle and Swinhoe siblings of their spouses were added to diverse ‘cousins’ (each with notes explaining that their close relative was ‘elsewhere’).
Journeys undertaken by many of the Indian ‘ex-pats’ mentioned, between Colombo Ceylon and Bengal, show that the Sea Captain of the vessel carrying them was John Biddle.
I typed Colonel, Major or Major-Generalas profession in a multitude of places and found many families with members who served through (or died in) the Indian Mutiny. Robert Swinhoe’s sister, Maria, married Major General Basden - son of Admiral Basden.
His Solicitor brother William married Eliza Dawes and the resulting offspring occupied many important posts in Calcutta including Dawes Swinhoe; ‘Chief Presidency Magistrate’. Another brother of Richard, an attorney in Calcutta, married another attorney and a sister married another British Consul - William Pedder.
Both William Pedder and Robert Swinhoe (FRS FRZS FRGS) were famous naturalists and much of their correspondence with Charles Darwin is preserved in his papers.
Swinhoe, also a Fellow of the Royal Society, had been a member of the British Association since 1863 and presented a paper at the 1865 meeting.
Indeed, Charles Darwin proposed him as a member of the Royal Society in 1874 and one of the letters from Darwin is to the Secretary of the Royal Society asking for another form since the original with all the signatures has got lost in the post (and Darwin proposes starting the collection again!).
One of the later letters to Darwin from Robert Swinhoe (8 Mar 1866) tells Charles that he is about to replace his brother in law Pedder as Consul in Amoy.
The Examiner London October 26, 1861 shows "Narrative of 1860 China War - illustrated" by Robert Swinhoe as history book of the week and, possibly closer to his heart, Penny Illustrated Paper (London, England), Saturday, November 14, 1868 contains an article and picture of Swinhoe's pheasant in the gardens of the Zoological Society.
In 1869 he named Aethopyga christinae (Mrs Swinhoe's Sunbird - Nectariniidae); dedicated to wife “Christina Stronach (Swinhoe)” daughter of an Edinburgh London Missionary Society couple whose (near 40 year) mission in Amoy is described as “the most successful in China”.
Adolphus White lives in Hampstead with his servants until his death in 1901. The census that year still shows the septuagenarian as a Royal Academy of Music music professor. The Athenaeum magazine reported his passing “on the fourth inst.” in detail. His exploits are too numerous to relate here but, in short, he was a chorister at Canterbury Cathedral; he studied organ, violin and other subjects under Dr Longhurst and later in Ireland. In 1858 he went to America. When he returned he performed at Her Majesty's Opera, the Philharmonic, Leeds, Birmingham, Handel and Three Choirs Festivals. In 1886/7 he wrote "The Double Bass" (quoted from extensively in the biography of Domenico Dragoneti) and in 1887 he retired from the 20th Middlesex Volunteer Corps (the artists) with the rank of Major and was presented with a silver sword (later left to nephew William Blomfield White in his will).
In 1890 Adolphus was appointed musician in ordinary to Her Majesty Queen Victoria. If you were a court “musician in ordinary” during Tudor and Stuart times, you’d be required to provide music for the Royal Household on any occasion, on call at any time of the day or night. During the 18th and early 19th centuries, members of the State Band, which performed only at coronations, were styled ‘Musician in Ordinary’ and were entitled to a salary despite often not playing a note for decades. After 1855 reforms led to the appointment of members of the leading London orchestras, including that of the opera, and were contracted to perform at court twenty times per annum, including State Concerts. Principal double bass to the Royal Italian Opera until 1897, he was organist of St Phillips Waterloo Road for 22 years. His compositions include church music, carols, songs and music for the double bass (his primer [novello] is “particularly recommended by many”) and Amazon still shows many of his songs. According to the Royal College of Music he “taught at both the RCM and the Royal Academy of Music. In addition he strengthened the College orchestra at rehearsals and at public concerts”.
29 October 1902 The Mercury (Hobart, Tasmania "Death of the King's Musician. - The death has taken place, in his 72nd year, of Mr. Adolphus Charles White, MusicÃan in Ordinary to the King, who was for many years regarded as the loading: double bass player in England. In addition to his powers in thus direction, Mr White was a capable violinist and organist, and he composed a number of church works, carols, songs, pianoforte pieces, and other music It is stated that he was also the composer of that popular ditty, "Put me in my little bed". He was for many years professor of the double bass, both at the Royal Academy and Royal College of Music, and the author of the primer for the same instrument published by Messrs. Novello and Co".
His will left more than three thousand pounds; including nine properties (eight were in Canterbury and his main residence 36 Parkhill Road Hampstead). Perhaps this was not the last of Adolphus since in January 2006 the world media reported that Gwyneth Paltrow and husband Chris Martin claimed that they were being haunted by the ghost of a 19th century musician. The pair believed their north London home, which they share with daughter Apple, was possessed by the ghost of Adolphus White who died at the property in 1902. They were so concerned that they requested an exorcism.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 13, 2006
Gwyneth Paltrow haunted
Gwyneth Paltrow and a man she married even though he's not good enough for her have a ghost in their house. From Monsters and Critics:
Gwyneth Paltrow and husband Chris Martin claim they are being haunted by the ghost of a 19th century musician. The pair believe their north London home, which they share with daughter Apple, is possessed by the ghost of Adolphus White - a Royal College of Music professor who died at the property in 1902. The pregnant 'Shakespeare In Love' actress is so worried about the musical apparition she is planning an exorcism at the house - located in the capital's plush Belsize Park region - before she gives birth in the spring. Friends of the 33-year-old actress and her Coldplay star husband say the pair have become increasingly anxious about the alleged spectre.
WE NAME THE GWYN GHOST.
(From The Daily Star)
Byline: BILL MARTIN
GWYNETH Paltrow and husband Chris Martin are being haunted by a 19thcentury musician.
And the showbiz couple have brought in the Kabbalah sect to rid their home of the ghoul, say pals.
The spectre is thought to be Adolphus White.
He was a professor of the Royal College of Music who died aged 71 at the property in London's posh Belsize Park in 1902.
His wife Eliza, an artist, died in the same master bedroom from a stroke aged 51 in 1887.
The shock revelation has seen Shakespeare In Love actress Gwyneth, 33, and Coldplay frontman Chris, 28, become increasingly worried, according to friends.
One said: "It's well known Chris had a lot of trouble writing his latest album X&Y and he's linking this to the haunting."
Arriving home this week, Chris said: "I'm sorry, I've nothing to say about this, " but didn't deny they were planning an exorcism.
Friends said Gwyneth is eager to rid her home of Adolphus before she gives birth in the spring and has contacted the London Kabbalah Centre to "cleanse" it on the advice of Madonna, 47. The ritual requires 10 men to chant psalms and blow a shofar, or ram's horn.
The pair are also desperate for the sect to succeed, having paid Titanic star Kate Winslet, 30, and her director husband Sam Mendes, 40, GBP2.8 million for the house in 2004.
The pal added: "On top of that they've spent GBP1m renovating it."
Neighbours in the exclusive road - which is also home to EastEnders' Wendy Richard, 62, and Radio 1 DJ Chris Moyles, 31 - would also be happy to see the back of the spirit.
They complain the house is jinxed and one said: "There is certainly an eerie feeling there.
"No one has stayed there very long.".
The sword mentioned in his will but which is no longer in the family .
'I bequeath to my nephew William White (son Of my late brother
Samuel Ethelbert White) the Silver Sword presented to me by the officers
and men Of the B. Company Of the 20th Middlesex Volunteer Corps (the
artists) And it is my wish that the same should not be sold but that on
his death the same should be given by him to some member Of my family but
I hereby declare that this expression Of my wishes should not be treated
as imposing any obligation by way Of trust'
He is not the only Mr White, a professor of music, in the lives of the White siblings from the 1830’s as we have seen from his cousin Tench...
White, Adolphus Charles, contrabassist,
born in Canterlnny, October 10, 1830.
■Chorister at the Cathedral there, and studied
■organ, violin, and other subjects under Dr.
Longhurst, and later in Ireland. Returning
to Canterbury lie took up the study of the
double-bass, and, proceeding to London, re-
ceived lessons from James Howell, for whom
he soon deputised with marked success. In
1853 he went with Jullian to America. After
his return he was engaged at Her Majesty's
opera, the Philharmonic and other concerts ;
and when Howell died, in 1879, he succeeded
him at the Handel, Leeds, Birmingham
(187G-1888), and Three Choirs Festivals; and
was also i^rincipal double-bass at the Koyal
Italian opera ro 1897. He is professor of his
instrument at R.A.M., and R.C.M. ; Hon.
R.A.M., 1877 ; and, in 1890, was appointed
Musician in Ordinary to Her IMajesty the
Queen. Was for 22 years organist of St.
Philip's, Waterloo Place. Served in the
Volunteer force, retiring in 1887 with the
rank of j\Iajor, receiving a silver sword in
acknowledgment of his services. His com-
positions include church music, carols, songs,
pf. pieces, and solos for the double-bass
His Primerforthatinstrumeiit (Novello), with
appendix for the four stringed bass, is of
great merit.
 |
Whitstable Times and Herne Bay Herald - Saturday 20 September 1902 |
Friday, 30 August 2013
Bessy White
The first children of Catherine Veri Vlieland and Samuel Ethelbert White to survive infancy, twins Charles Ethelbert and Elisabeth Mary Mills Annie (Bessy), were baptised together at All Saints Southampton on 5th January 1859.
Bessy was shown in the 1881 census living at 9 Alfred St Lucas Terrace, Bow still living with the family.
She was not mentioned in the Will of father Samuel Ethelbert White in 1886, though he leaves 4 children various properties.
She was not mentioned in the Will of father Samuel Ethelbert White in 1886, though he leaves 4 children various properties.
It had long been the tradition of the ‘old families of England’ that the eldest son received the ‘estate’ (Charles had gained the main residence); unmarried daughters were usually supported through their lives through trusts (younger unmarried sister Bertha received a house - Number one Ryde Street, Canterbury)- like her brothers together with income after her Mothers death) and that married women received nothing.
Elizabeth had, indeed, married Edgar Wallington in 1884.
Elizabeth had, indeed, married Edgar Wallington in 1884.
Her marriage, shown as Elizabeth (‘Bessie’) to the son of a civil engineer, is announced in the Evening Standard.
Her husband is a Surveyors Clerk for the War Office (Royal Engineers) and quite ‘well off’. Both father and grandfather James were farmers at Charlecote Warwickshire and each show up to six servants in census records - as well as many farmhands and boys working for them. Grandfather James Wallingtonleft almost £10,000 in 1868 at a time when the houses left to the White children were value at less than £50 each.
By the 1911 census and both aged 51 they have retired down to Fenstanton Cambridgeshire (then Huntingdonshire).
After son Edgar James Ethelbert Middleton, her second son is named Lionel Mills after his Mother.
In elder son Edgar’s marriage, he is shown as ‘EthelbertEdgar J M’ and his name in his probate documents as ‘Ethelbert James Edgar Middleton Wallington’.
‘Bessies’ death is noted, aged 84, in Chard Somerset in early 1943.
Father's Name: Samuel Ethelbert White
Mother's Name: Catherine Veri White
‘Bessies’ death is noted, aged 84, in Chard Somerset in early 1943.
Father's Name: Samuel Ethelbert White
Mother's Name: Catherine Veri White
Ethelbert Ernest White
Ethelbert Ernest White was Ray´s G grandfather. A master fishmonger, he was born in Winchester, Hampshire (the county town of Hampshire) on 2nd September 1862.
According to the records, the boy Ethelbert was sent back to Canterbury by his parents to what is understood to be the oldest school in England (Leach – Hist Med Schools - Methuen 1915), The King's School. According to the school register he left in April 1877.
Name: Ethelbert Ernest White
Gender: Male
Christening Date: 07 Dec 1862
Christening Place: St. Thomas, Winchester, Hampshire, England
Father's Name: Samuel Ethelbert White
Mother's Name: Catherine Veri White
Thursday, 29 August 2013
Bertha Susanna White
Name: Bertha Susanna White
Gender: Female
Christening Date: 25 Aug 1860
Christening Place: St. Thomas, Winchester, Hampshire, England
Father's Name: Samuel Ethelbert White
Mother's Name: Catherine Veri White
Bertha Susannah White (spinster), second daughter of Samuel and Catharine , is left number one Ryde Street.
Although the houses are no longer there, pictures of the street in the 1940’s show Ryde Street as a terrace of six houses numbered one to six and from the front at street level they simply looked like a terrace of brick/white painted tiled roof cottages (much like many normal early Victorian ones) BUT from the back and high up it was obvious that five and six were later additions with a separate pitched roof and nos 5-6 were not even rendered at the back. (The properties were still occupied when the council took the pictures).
It seems clear that Samuel Ethelbert owned the whole original terrace (1-4).
Younger sister Bertha Susanna White marries on the 7th of June 1888.
Her husband Edward Brice Presland is a company secretary.
The witnesses are her Mother Catherine Veri and Adolphus Charles White a Professor of Music living in Park Road Hampstead.
He was born in Canterbury and is then 57.
He is a widower, his wife Eliza A White an artist painter born in Chelsea is deceased.
He is not the only Mr White, a professor of music in the lives of the White siblings.
Bertha, however, is not to inherit for almost thirty years.
At the time of the 1901 census Edward Bertha and their daughter Helen Bertha age 21 are living in Putney (an area they have been in since the birth of their daughter).Helen Bertha marries Leslie Miller in 1914.
Adolphus Charles White (1830–1902)
Professor of Double-bass, 1884–1902A member of staff almost hidden from view, but he had been principal double bass of the Philharmonic Society, and taught at both the RCM and the Royal Academy of Music. In addition he strengthened the College orchestra at rehearsals and at public concerts.
Catherine Augusta White
First born child of Samuel en Catherine was Catherine Augusta White.
She died in spring 1858 only months after her summer 1857 birth and 4th November baptism.
Their ‘home town’ Southampton, being a port, was not necessarily a healthy place to bring up a family.
Exposure to ‘foreign diseases’ (brought in by passengers or crew) was a distinct possibility.
In 1783 Jane Austen and her sister had been sent away to be educated and were on holiday there.
Typhoid had broken out and Jane had become seriously ill.
Years later she had to rush down to Southampton to nurse the family when her cousin and other family members caught cholera.
She died in spring 1858 only months after her summer 1857 birth and 4th November baptism.
Their ‘home town’ Southampton, being a port, was not necessarily a healthy place to bring up a family.
Exposure to ‘foreign diseases’ (brought in by passengers or crew) was a distinct possibility.
In 1783 Jane Austen and her sister had been sent away to be educated and were on holiday there.
Typhoid had broken out and Jane had become seriously ill.
Years later she had to rush down to Southampton to nurse the family when her cousin and other family members caught cholera.
Wednesday, 28 August 2013
Charles Ethelbert White
Name: Charles Ethelbert White
Gender: Male
Christening Date: 05 Jan 1859
Christening Place: All Saints, Southampton, Hampshire, England
Father's Name: Samuel Ethelbert White
Mother's Name: Catherine Veri
The family had moved before the birth of Bertha Susanna in 1860 and are now at 22 Sussex Street, Winchester. Samuel Ethelbert is an Excise Officer. Sussex Street is right in the centre, close to the railway station, which had been built as Winchester City station in 1839/40 by the London and Southampton Railway Company, then serving the only major settlement between London and Southampton. In 2006, Channel 4’s Homes programme voted Winchester the best place in the country to live.
The will and the probate register for Samuel Ethelbert White’s death in 1886 both show Charles Ethelbert as sole executor but note that Catherine Fritz White (widow) now living at 32 St Maur Road Fulham is declared the lawful attorney when probate is granted on 19th August (since Charles is shown as ‘residing in Bombay’). (Another Vlieland cousin, Lawrence Ethelbert Candler is also there).
In the Will he leaves 4 children, each, a house in “Ryde Street in the Parish of Saint Dunstans in the City and Borough of Canterbury”. At the time the properties were built this terrace of 4 brick/white painted, tiled roof cottages comprised all of Ryde Street - though numbers 5 and 6 were added later and we know from the surveyors orders for water to be laid on, in May 1876, that these four were almost the last properties in Canterbury to gain access to water..
In addition his eldest son Charles Ethelbert is left his Fathers old residence at 6 Blackfriars (currently tenanted by William Jennings Esquire) together with his main address at 36 Chesilton Road, Munster Place Fulham.
Charles Ethelbert also joined the Navy in 1874; apprenticed with P&O.
He gains his Masters Certificate in January 1879 at his first attempt and the London Gazette shows the Admiralty Notice confirming that he is appointed sub lieutenant from 31 Dec 1889.
He gains promotion again fairly promptly and stays with P&O Line as a First Officer.
‘P&O’, one of the largest shipping companies in the world, started life as a shipping agency business shortly after the Napoleonic War.
Though mainly the foremost mail carrier it also became a major commercial shipping line and passenger liner operator.
In 1886, when father dies, he is living in Bombay; a jewel in Britain’s crown since Portugal gave it to Charles II as part of his wife’s dowry.
He gains his Masters Certificate in January 1879 at his first attempt and the London Gazette shows the Admiralty Notice confirming that he is appointed sub lieutenant from 31 Dec 1889.
‘P&O’, one of the largest shipping companies in the world, started life as a shipping agency business shortly after the Napoleonic War.
Though mainly the foremost mail carrier it also became a major commercial shipping line and passenger liner operator.
In 1886, when father dies, he is living in Bombay; a jewel in Britain’s crown since Portugal gave it to Charles II as part of his wife’s dowry.
Charles continued his career on the SS Assam, a steamer built in 1873 by Caird & Co, Greenock.
She was 3,033 gross tons with a length of 350ft x beam 39.3ft, one funnel, three masts, iron construction, single screw and a speed of 12 knots. There was accommodation for 80-1st and 36-2nd class passengers. She had been bought by P&O in 1875 for her Indian routes. With English officers, the crews, they suggest, were generally made up of Indians in the engine-room, Lascars on deck and stewards from the Portuguese colony of Goa. It notes that “The captains for the vessels were only responsible to God and the Board of Directors, and complaints were not welcomed”.
| 1873 | Feldmarschall Moltke | 3,060 GRT | Caird & Co. Ltd., Greenock | 1875 sold to P&O and renamed Assam |
According to the extensive Merchant Navy Association history ‘red duster’ the passenger lists at the time would be made up of civil servants bound for India, diplomats, soldiers, bankers, industrialists, missionaries and young ladies who were affectionately referred to as the 'fishing fleet'; (looking for husbands who, if they failed to get a catch were then known as the 'returned empties'). Travelling on board a (comfortable) P&O steamship was an extension of living in the British 'Raj' for the sahibs and memsahibs. On July 5-6 1891 Mahatma Gandhi returned to India and reached Bombay from Aden on S.S. Assam to receive the news of his Mothers death. His biography notes that “the sea was rough in Bombay harbour, not an unusual thing in the Arabian Sea in June and July. It had been choppy all the way from Aden. Almost every passenger was sick”.
Charles dies less than a year later at sea.
The Assam had still been shuttling between Aden and Bombay.
SS Assam was at sea bound for Aden when Charles died. It was rough again.
Lloyds telegrams reports that it had previously arrived in Bombay on 26th April and then that it subsequently arrived in Aden on 6th May. Portsmouth Evening News of the 18th May reports “Charles Ethelbert White, R.N.R., First Officer P. and O s.s. Assam ... (was) ... washed overboard in the Indian Ocean”. He was 33.
The Assam had still been shuttling between Aden and Bombay.
SS Assam was at sea bound for Aden when Charles died. It was rough again.
Lloyds telegrams reports that it had previously arrived in Bombay on 26th April and then that it subsequently arrived in Aden on 6th May. Portsmouth Evening News of the 18th May reports “Charles Ethelbert White, R.N.R., First Officer P. and O s.s. Assam ... (was) ... washed overboard in the Indian Ocean”. He was 33.
The probate records show that Charles Ethelbert White late chief Officer of the Peninsular and Orient Company’s Steamship “Assam” died 1 May 1892 at sea.
Administration London 19 August to Catherine Veri White widow Effects £178 18s 4d.
So his Mother Catherine Veri White (nee Vlieland) was his sole executrix not long after she had to deal with her late husband’s affairs.
Administration London 19 August to Catherine Veri White widow Effects £178 18s 4d.
So his Mother Catherine Veri White (nee Vlieland) was his sole executrix not long after she had to deal with her late husband’s affairs.
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