WM. PHILLIPS [1825-1911] - ECO-LIVING VISIONS 2012+ / Discuss

melcir.meri says:

PAST MEETS FUTURE: SUPPORT OUR EXCITING INTERNATIONAL ECO-FESTIVAL PLANS -- Help BUILD & CELEBRATE our 2011 ECO-CENTENARY of Cr. William PHILLIPS, JP, LCC [1825-1911]



U2 Croke Park Dublin -- by Mick h 51 || Sarah Brightman in action -- by Patrick8Lee ||




Eco-car of the future "DSC02552.JPG -- by a06987 (CGN Services) || Trio of Ecos -- by sniderscion


Welcome ... We invite all to join our exciting new environmentally-friendly group -- WILLIAM PHILLIPS, J.P. [1825 - 1911] "ECO-CENTENARY 2011" - UK IRELAND -- www.flickr.com/groups/1216134@N23/, to help promote and develop Cr. Wm. Phillips' special 2011 Centenary Festival and Celebrations.



Poster created with fd's Flickr Toys].


It seems highly fitting to create a contemporary ECO-CENTENARY celebration for this popular and much-loved former London County Councillor. An ardent soul, always passionate, William launched forth into life on 22 September 1825. His father, Richard, was a London auctioneer, his mother, Louisa [Mucklow], London-city born, of the Clan McLeod of Scotland. Phillips was despatched at an early age to boarding school at Margate. [There were 13 boarding schools in St. Johns' Parish, Margate, in 1835, according to the 1835 ACCOUNTS AND PAPERS: FIFTEEN VOLS., p. 404. Perhaps his was at No. 58, Lower Marine Terrace, advertised in The Times, Friday, Apr 27, 1832]. There he completed five years of preparatory schooling. It was not until much later that he gained a Bachelor degree, under the watchful auspices of renowned Cambridge tutor, Dr. Sackett, at Trinity College [whose role as Examiner for Cambridge, was noted in The Times, on Thursday, Jan 22, 1880, and again on Thursday, Feb. 19, 1880].

In 1850-1, Phillips undertook an extraordinary adventure in Italy, with two companions, one of whom was Theops. Sandeman [See Correspondence: 29 Earls Court Square, SW, dated 6th July 1896, preserved in Phillips autobiography, p. 178. Sandeman was born in 1828, became a Stock Broker, married Catherine Ann Caldwell, in September, 1860, at Marylebone. and died in March 1905 at Kensington, having raised 9 children.* He formed part of a stock-brokerage partnership, with George Burnand, and Charles Vickers, of 12 Cornhill, which partnership was partially dissolved in 1853, for Charles Vickers to exit, as noted in The London Gazette, of Friday April 22, published in The Morning Chronicle (London), Saturday, April 23, 1853. Two years later, an advertisement noted that Theophilus Sandeman of 69, Lombard Street, had been admitted under Mayor Moon, to act as a Stockbroker of the City of London. -- Daily News (London), Thursday, February 8, 1855. [Further details available.]

Sandeman's letter to William Phillips named the Hotel Crocelle, as perhaps the group's Naples domicile. The renowned Hotel Albergio delle Crocelle, occupied nos. 26 and 27 of the exotic Via Chiatamone, a cave-studded cliffside area of Naples, noted for its great attraction to 18th and 19th century celebrity guests. William noted that a great earthquake and storm occurred while he was in Naples, and this was perhaps the 'quake of January 1850, or the 1851 earthquake of Malfi, noted by Professors Palmieri and Scacchi in their Report on the geology of S. Italy. [The "London Illustrated News" included an engraved image of Naples in 1857 -- The Castel Nuovo, at Naples. Scene of people congregating in front of the Castel Nuovo.]

Being much distressed by prevailing Italian social conditions he encountered, Phillips offered to assist the dual social-justice cause,freedom - democracy, and so joined the Italian Democracy movement, led by Guiseppi Garibaldi and Guiseppi Mazzini. Details of his Italian adventure are found in his autobiography [ * ].On returning to England, and greatly awakened by his journey, in 1862, he supported the unseated Lancashire cotton workers after the mill closures. While there, it is likely he found suitable mentors to streamline and mobilize his humanitarian nature, plus to engage in various social causes his emerging Coal Trade brokerage. There were many further social reform involvements, including free schooling, and free school lunches. Significantly, he was a co-founder of the London Municipal Reform Association, plus encouraged environment protective issues for London's dwindling 'green-belt' as vital oxygen resource. In the 1890s, he quested west to Ireland, a land to which he would frequently return with his family, to Counties Mayo and Galway [where he would publicize the near-starvation conditions which the Irish Famine thrust upon the peasant populace, whose suffering he strove to alleviate].

His renowned pamphlet publication drives, plus numerous 'Letters-to-the-Editor' newspaper campaigns for humanitarian and social reform were popularly supported as singularly effective, plus admirably a-political, according to his deeply caring nature. Among his many pamphlets, one entitled “Packing of the Poor”, reached a circulation of 300,000: while his “Home rule for London” circulated to 500,000 readers; and his extraordinary “Home rule Catechism” achieved a circulation of 850,000. -- Thus William Phillips' presence was characterised by his love for the people, and he laboured tirelessly for what he believed to be their best interests. Sir James Stansfeld, at Phillips' oil portrait public presentation at the National Liberal Club in 1896, commended the example of Mr Phillips as one of "a long life of consistent, unselfish, active, devotion to the interests of the whole population". In 1907, Phillips published his autobiography, re-published in 1910, “Sixty Years of citizen work and play: Realities, trivialities, reminiscences and letters ”. Publisher Alexander Shepheard. The work contains a photo portrait of William Phillips (illustrated here). His writing style reveals a depth of warm, lighthearted wit, his unique worldview leaping to life from his work's first pages. -- www.archive.org/stream/sixtyyearsofciti00phil#page/n22/mo...

Phillips died at the Sussex Hotel, Hove, in Feb. 1911. Obituary, with biographical details, in the Times, 27 Feb. 1911. -- www.flickr.com/photos/melcir-selfportraits-2006/3577203655/, and also in a report to commemorate his presentation, in the Conference Room of the National Liberal Club, of his framed full-length portrait in oils, painted by renowned artist, James Archer, RSA, the article entitled Veteran Reformer published April 20, 1896, in Bristol's "Mercury". -- www.flickr.com/photos/melcir-selfportraits-2006/357762699... .

To learn more regarding the phases of Philips' life, please click on the URLs provided in each section. Or to perhaps get involved in the exciting ECO-CENTENARY 2011 planning activities, or to add your creative photos of suggested FESTIVAL themes, click below. --
www.flickr.com/groups/1216134@N23/discuss/721576226357460...

WILLIAM PHILLIPS [1825 - 1911] -- BRIEF BIO BACKGROUND . . . "Always let action follow closely on the heels of conviction." -- Richard Cobden to William Phillips, c.1843|| Shakespeare in the Park -- by DigHazuse ||

1825 - c.1847 -- William PHILLIPS was born to Richard PHILLIPS, an auctioneer, and his wife, Louisa [McLeod], in September, 1825 -- early in the brief reign of George IV -- at Newington, or in St. Luke's parish, Finsbury, London, and was raised in Chiswell Street, Finsbury square, in St. Luke's parish. In this street, his family dwelled at two successive residences, first at No. 35 [1841 CENSUS], and later at 24 Chiswell Street [1851 CENSUS] -- [NB: For family details and further reading -- (or to add your details of the family, or of St. Luke's or Newington, eg. archival locations, photos, other family, etc., use the Comments Box ) -- see "2. William Phillips was born 1825, in St. Luke's Parish or Newington -- Perhaps collateral family relatives still
reside here?" -- www.flickr.com/groups/1216134@N23/discuss/72157622139230160/].



Giuseppe Garibaldi - Portrait of an Italian Patriot with Red Wine & Cabbage -- by Nino.Modugno || Garibaldi è passato di qui... / Garibaldi passed in my town... -- by fioresoleil ||


1851 -- Wm. P. journeyed to Italy in 1851, where he chose to become "an agent for Mazzini and Garibaldi in the days when Ferdinand [nicknamed Bomba] was Sovereign of The Sicilies," as noted in PHILLIPS Obituary, The Times, 27 Feb., 1911. An account of William's adventures in Italy forms a Chapter of his autobiography, entitled: My Work as Civil Agent to the Italian Revolution --
www.archive.org/stream/sixtyyearsofciti00phil#page/9/mode... . In addition, the following brief mention needs investigation: 1882 -- "Literary world, Volume 12", ‎Page 382 James Clarke & Co "The death of Garibaldi is calling forth a number of memoirs ... so warmly in his Birmingham speech last week) is Mr, William Phillips, of the Coal Exchange. ..."



William Phillips' Coal Brokerage at No. 25, LONDON COAL-EXCHANGE, Thames-side, E.C. || Coal Railway Dramway -- by brizzle born and bred ||


1851-55 -- Returning to England by the close of 1851, as observed from his regular Coal trade advertisements, by 1854, Phillips was a Coal Broker, perhaps initially at Belfast, Northern Ireland. An 1854 Notice in the Belfast News-Letter may disclose an early partnership with McKIBBIN in a Belfast Coal Exchange at Queen's Quay, The Belfast Directory, 1861 lists both James McKibbin and John McKibbin at Belfast's Queen's Quay Coal Yards, on Portview's Old Road.

1854 – SMITHS COAL FOR SALE – 120 TONS SWANSEA COAL [WEIGH VACH VEIN], ex Dorris. Price 20s per ton. McKIBBIN & PHILLIPS. Coal Exchange, Queen’s Quay, Belfast, Feb. 17, 1854. -- The Belfast News-Letter (Belfast, Ireland), Monday, February 20, 1854.

By 1854, Phillips had established his London City and nationwide Coal Brokerage. If you have related details, please add them, via "3. William Phillips London Coal Brokerage, Auctioneering links, Artillery Place, Chiswell Street, & Finsbury Square, St Luke's, London -- Any collateral relations, DESCENDANTS or further information HERE?" -- www.flickr.com/groups/1216134@N23/discuss/72157622014501755/.



Bottom of Sydenham Rise -- by Ben Sutherland ||
Snow in Forest Hill -- by Big Marvin ||


BY 1855, WILLIAM AND HIS SISTER WERE BOTH WED:
1855-65 -- Additionally that year, while residing at 1, Artillery Place, Finsbury Square, William married Frances Clara [Tullet], youngest daughter of John Thomas Tullet, Esq., of Camden-road Villas. We know little of his family life. William and his sister, Louisa Elizabeth, married just a month apart. -- Louisa wed Rector Henry Kent, of Canonbury.

1855 -- MARRIAGE -- KENT—PHILLIPS – August 9, at St. Luke’s Church, Old-street, by the Rev. John Saunders, Rector, Henry Kent, Esq., of Canonbury, to Louisa Elizabeth Phillips, the daughter of Mr. R. Phillips, of Artillery-Place, Finsbury-square. -- Daily News (London), Tuesday, August 14, 1855.

1855 – MARRIAGE -- PHILLIPS--TULLET – On the 20th inst., at St. Pancras Church, Mr. William Phillips, of 1, Artillery-place, Finsbury-square, to Fanny Clara, youngest daughter of John Thomas Tullet, Esq., of Camden-road Villas. -- The Morning Chronicle (London), Monday, September 24, 1855.

Shortly after marrying, William and Fanny moved some miles away, to Forest Hill, SE London. In the 1861 CENSUS, the address is given as No. 64 Forest Hill. However, it seems William and his family later moved again, within Forest Hill. On the 1871 CENSUS, which is somewhat illegible, the address is No. 23, Sydenham Rise, Forest Hill, and we note that some of their close neighbours had named their homes. The residence at No. 20 was likely "Melrose", while No. 21 was possibly "Gorham House". No. 24 may have been "Crediton House", with No. 25 known as "The Chestnuts". No. 23 had not received a name. The Phillips did not give it one either, at least not one that we have learned. We rely on various news commentaries of the day, for most of our findings.

1856 -- This was a watershed year for Phillips' social emergence. Adjusting to married life had obviously begun to turn his thoughts to choosing sociable means of interacting with his peers. He now began to find his calling, and to discover ways to mingle with others who embraced similar dreams and goals to those he espoused. He increasingly became involved in social causes, and gave much of his time to Committees, formed to increase citizens' equality, and social justice.



Botanical Gardens by night, "Museum No. 1" -- biologo || Main entrance to the arboretum, Royal Botanical Gardens, "Untitled" -- photobenedict||


In 1856, the newly established Surrey Royal Gardens were destined to assist his social emergence. It was decided by a select Committee that the exciting new Botanical Gardens at Surrey should host the homecoming celebration for the serving Guards, who would soon be returning from the Crimean War. William joined that rather extraordinary Committee to help make preparations. Many of the major traders of the City seem also to have nominated to participate.

1856 -- DINNER to the GUARDS on their RETURN from the CRIMEA. -- ROYAL SURREY GARDENS COMMITTEE: Viscount Ranelagh, 7 New Burlington-street, Lieutenant-Colonel Brownlow
Knox, M.P., 23, Wilton-crescent. H. A. Merewether, Esq., Q.C.,, St. James’-street. Mr. Sebastian Garrard, [R & S. Garrard], 31, Penton-street, Haymarket. Mr. C. Frater (C. Prater & Co], 2, Charing-cross. Mr. A. Salomons [B. Salomons & Sons], Old Change; Mr. Brunaud [Erard & Co.],8, Great Marlborough-street. Mr. H. Poole, 37, Saville-row. Mr. C. F. Hancock, 39, Bruton-street, New Bond-street. Mr. Wilkinson [Wilkinson & Son], 27, Pall-mall. Mr. P. Graham [Jackson & Graham], 35, Oxford-street. Messrs. Fortnum & Mason.81, Piccadilly. Mr. William Phillips, 25, Coal Exchange. Mr. P. Firmin [P. Firmin & Sons], 53, Strand, and3, Conduit-street. … -- The Times, Wednesday, Aug 06, 1856.

Soon after this event, William became a father. His first daughter, Alice was born to William and Fanny, at Forest Hill, in March 1857.

However, commencing in 1859, William suffered the first of a series of sad personal losses. It must have been a singularly warm summer that year. -- His infant son, Richard Evelyn died of sunstroke.

1859 -- DIED. PHILLIPS —On the 12th inst., of sunstroke, Richard Evelyn, the infant son of William Philips, of the Coal Exchange, City, and Forest-hill, Kent. -- The Era (London), Sunday, July 17, 1859.

Two years later, in 1861, a second son, William P., was born to this couple. His name and age appear on the 1861 CENSUS.

1861 CENSUS -- 64 Forest Hill -- Sydenham -- Lewisham
William Head 33 Coal and Iron Merchant St Lukes Mddx
Fanny C. Wife 24 St Pancras Mddx
Alice Daur 4 Lewisham Kent
William P Son 4 mos. Lewisham Kent
Emily Green S-I-L Mar. 28 Miller’s wife St Pancras Mddx
John Hutchings Serv Mar 36 Gardener Graffham Yorks
Jane Hutchings Serv Mar 35 Cook Cmmcl Rd Mddx
Sarah Perkett Serv Unm 21 Housemaid St Lk OldSt Mddx
Maria Dodson Serv Unm 24 Nurse Greenwich Kent

1861 -- BIRTHS – PHILLIPS – Oct 4, at Marylebone-street, Regent-Street, the wife of Mr. W. Phillips, of a son. -- Daily News (London), Tuesday, October 8, 1861.



Lancashire Cotton Mill of 19th Century "27042007mill" by John Watts-Robertson ||

By 1862, William's world view was really broadening. He now began to use his vast coal transport network to convey free of charge blankets and other goods to the laid-off Lancashire cotton workers, who were falling into dire poverty. This same year, he also began to engage the printed media, penning Letters to the Editor of selected newspapers, including the "Times". At first he used as his regular nom-de-plume, “London Lad”, to convey his social concerns. However, by late in that year, his self-perception was sufficiently encouraged to abandon the non-de-plume in favour of providing the Editor with his full name. William Phillips now embraced his full potential, and was ready to engage with his world.

1862 -- William Phillips – “London Lad” [His non-de-plume in London “Times” Newspaper, & possibly in “Punch”, etc.] -- Lancashire Distress. A LANCASHIRE LAD. -- The Times, Monday, May 12, 1862. -- Letters to the Editor.

1862 -- London Waste And Lancashire Want. -- A LONDON LAD -- The Times, Wednesday, Sep 17, 1862. -- Letters to the Editor

1862 - 1911 -- HUMANITARIAN & ENVIRONMENTAL WORK:

1862 -- THE DISTRESS IN LANCASHIRE – LONDON WASTE AND LANCASHIRE WANT -- TO THE EDITIOR OF THE DAILY NEWS. – "Sir, -- Will you kindly permit me to make it known to your readers that I am collecting blankets, new materials for the sewing schools, and wearing apparel of all kinds for our poor, suffering, half-naked, and more than half starved Lancashire operatives, and that all parcels from any part of London, or from any part of the kingdom, if addressed to me as above for the “distressed cotton districts”; will reach me carriage free, and by me be forward carriage free to committees in the north specially appointed to receive and distribute them. In this manner, without any paid assistants, I have already been the medium through which many thousands of garments of all descriptions have reached the delighted and grateful recipients, and hope to be able to send them as many more. Londoners should bear in mind that winter is fast approaching, that the distress is increasing, while the funds provided to meet it are diminishing; that these people who are starving with such a noble patience upon less than one-fourth the allowance our gaol-birds are fattening upon, are not paupers, but an independent worthy class, who have lived in comfort and respectability, and whose wealth-creative industry has benefited directly or indirectly every corner of our land. Let us think of this, and let every man who has yet done nothing to help the half million of his famished countrymen, whose silent sufferings plead so eloquently to us all, ask his conscience honestly if he is “doing his duty in that state of life in which it has pleased God to call him”, by “passing ove on the other side”, and leaving them to perish by cold or hunger, without even offering them the crumbs that fall from his table, or the old garments that are decaying in his wardrobe. – I am, &c., WILLIAM PHILLIPS, 25, Coal Exchange, E.C." —Nov. 6. -- Daily News (London), Friday, November 7, 1862.

A constant community advocate and Environmentalist, who nurtured the poor, Phillips was ardent In poverty-relief for workers from Lancashire's cotton mill closures. As Britain's leading coal trader, Phillips could provide cost-free distribution for this humanitarian charitable aid via his national coal shipment network. He now involved himself in a poverty relief movement, known as the Lancashire Distress, Marylebone Committee. The Chairman was the Rev. C. J. P. Eyre, M.A., Rector of the Marylebone Parish. … William Page Phillips, Esq. -- The Times, Tuesday, Dec 02, 1862.. -- Same advert in: Times, Monday, Jan 12, 1863.

However, in 1864, he suffered a second personally difficult time of deep inner change. That year, his dear wife, Fanny died at home -- of consumption, despite having installed for Fanny, a personal nurse, Maria Dodson of Greenwich Kent.

1864 -- DEATH. PHILLIPS – On the 7th inst., at Sydenham-rise, Forest-hill, of rapid consumption, after years of suffering, borne with Christian resignation, Fanny Clare, the beloved wife of William Phillips, of the Corn Exchange. -- The Era (London), Sunday, February 14, 1864.

The following April, the next loss he suffered was that of his mentor and role model, Richard Cobden, who also died.

1865 -- THE FUNERAL OF MR. COBDEN -- … In addition there were present … Mr. Grant from Ohio; Mr. Phillips from Wisconsin … -- Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper (London), Sunday, April 9, 1865.

Undeterred, Phillips now undertook the push to enter public life in his family's electoral area. It seems inevitable that Wm. Phillips would have considered making a complete return to Finsbury, after the death of his wife, Fanny. However, perhaps he had retained his former City residence, so could enjoy both environs, and comfortably could commute between Finsbury, and his family's Forest Hill home.



Finsbury Town Hall -- by tommyajohansson || Finsbury Circus -- by gundust™ ||


1865 -- PHILLIPS A CANDIDATE TO REPRESENT FINSBURY -- "There are three candidates, all in the Liberal interest for the vacancy created in the representation of this borough … which extends from Holborn to Stoke Newington … and the third, Mr. William Philips, addressed a meeting the other evening, and a vote was passed, though not unanimously, that he was a fit and proper person to represent the borough in Parliament." … The Times, Friday, May 26, 1865.

1865 -- ELECTION INTELLIGENCE – FINSBURY – The present members are opposed by Mr. Phillips. -- Birmingham Daily Post , Birmingham, Monday, June 19, 1865.

The fourth great bitternesses of death, endured by William in an approximately seven-year period was that of his dear sister, Louisa, of Camden Town, who passed away during convalescence at Brighton, in December 1865.

1865 -- DEATH -- KENT – On the 12th inst., suddenly, at Brighton, LOUISA ELIZABETH, the beloved wife of Henry Kent, Esq., of Park Lodge, Camden-road, N., and eldest daughter of Richard Phillips, Esq., of Finsbury. Friends will please accept this intimation. -- The Times, Friday, Dec 15, 1865.

The following year, as the fifth in this sad series of demises, Phillips' father too passed away, in mid-1866.

1866 -- DEATH: PHILLIPS -- May 15 at Sydenham-rise, the residence of his son, William, in his 72nd year, Mr. Richard Phillips of St. Luke's Old-street, in which parish for more than 50 years he was universally known and deservedly respected. -- Daily News (London), Wednesday, May 16, 1866.

|| NB: Please CLICK below, to share as Comments, additional information on "4. William Phillips first marriage, and early years at Sydenham Rise, Forest Hill, London." -- www.flickr.com/groups/1216134@N23/discuss/72157622139007256/.



CAMBERWELL Camden Church -- by ChurchCrawler ||


After this bleak period of tragic losses, William's new personal life directions began to emerge. He remarried, his 2nd wife being Emily [STACE], whom he wed at Camberwell, in June 1866. We have no information on how or where the couple met.

1866 -- William married 2ndly, Emily Stace. -- Marriage Jun 1866:
Phillips William Camberwell 1d 953
STACE Emily Camberwell 1d 953

Prior to her marriage to William, Emily was listed on two earlier CENSUS forms. She had moved from her birthplace, West Firle. Sussex, by 1851.

1851 -- Stace Emily 1844 West Firle Lewes, Ditchling
1861 -- Stace Emily 1844 Firle Kensington, Fulham
1871 -- Phillips Emily 1844 West Firle Camberwell, Dulwich

It is possible that Emily too was widowed. An Emily Stace had been married in 1864, also at Camberwell. Perhaps this husband had died young?

Emily Stace Marriage: Jun 1864 - Camberwell, Greater London, London, Surrey

For William, having so painfully gained that deep compassion found among many of those who lose beloved mentors, children, and parents, he wished to use his heartfelt sympathy to help orphaned children. He joined the National Orphaned Boys fundraising committee, then presided over by the Duke of Cambridge.



Highfield Harpenden National Children's Home -- by theirhistory ||


1867 -- NATIONAL ORPHAN HOME -- The fifteenth anniversary festival was held on Thursday last, at the Star and Garter Hotel, Richmond, his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge for the third consecutive year presiding. His Royal Highness was supported by Lord Ebury, Major-General Grey, General Sir Vincent Eyre, the Hon. Mr. Wrottesley, Mr. George Moore, Mr. William Phillips, … and a large party of old supporters of the charity. -- The Times, Monday, Jun 17, 1867.

William now found himself included among the leading names of this gathering, and readily accepted by most of those who would shape his future, whether intentionally, or merely by the role-models which their polished presences provided to his astute vision and insight. In 1867, he was invited to join the Honorary Committee of the Reform Fete and Banquet, which was to convene at the new Crystal Palace site, removed from Hyde Park to its new home.


The Reform Club, London -- by Ravello1 ||

1867 – THE NATIONAL REFORM FETE AND BANQUET, to celebrate the passing of the REFORM BILL of 1867, will take place at the Crystal Palace on Monday, Sept. 20. … The following gentlemen have up to this date placed their names on the Honorary Committee: … W. Phillips, Esq., Sydenham … The Acting Committee consists of nearly 100 leading Middle and Working Class Reformers. George Potter, Chairman, B. S. Olding, Treasurer, Robert Hartwell, Secretary. Committee-rooms, 10, Bolt-court, Fleet Street, E. C. -- Advertisements & Notices -- Daily News (London), Saturday, September 14, 1867.

The following September, Phillips made a dramatic and very public decision regarding his role in the Finsbury electorate. He created and presented a series of placards, to promote his feelings and the personal decision he had reached. The effect of this presentation was so striking that it received the full attention of the Times reporters.

1868 -- Election Intelligence. Finsbury – Yesterday the Borough of Finsbury was placarded in every direction with large posters signed by Mr. W. Phillips of the Corn Exchange, stating that although asked to do so, he will not come forward again as a candidate for this borough unless at a public meeting of electors they declare that they will not encourage any agents or paid canvassers. He adds that he is glad to see that many excellent men have declined to come forward as candidates at the risk of being beaten by a mere outlay of money. -- The Times, Thursday, Sep 03, 1868.

Clearly, William has thus made a major statement which he wishes all to attend. There are fraudulent conditions rife within the Borough which he will not abide. If the residents do not clear up this situation, he will withdraw.

1868 – BIRTHS. PHILLIPS — On the 18th inst., at Sydenham-rise, Forest-hill, the wife of Mr William Phillips, of a son. -- The Pall Mall Gazette (London), Thursday, November 19, 1868.

The above newspaper-recorded birth may have been for Ernest Arnold. By late 1868 or in 1869, William doubtless needed to remove to a new larger home, to accommodate himself and his wife, and his growing number of children. This hilly residence was 'Hazelwood', North Park, Eltham, which remained the family residence until approximately 1895. Next door, was a residence known as "Highlands", with No. 2 North Park next-door to it.

In the 1871 British Census, we find William present in this new location with 2nd wife, Emily, together with his eldest daughter, Alice, plus 3 surviving sons, William P., Richard Cobden, and Earnest Arnold, and a newborn daughter, Millicent Louise, all now supervised by a children's governess, Clara Agnes Bush, aged 28, from New Cross. Much later, after his children had married, or had moved to their own premises, this big home's silence was likely overwhelming -- just the stimulus needed to send William and Emily scurrying back to London, around 1895, to the noise and bustling social activity of William's old community, in St. Luke's parish, and Islington.

1869 -- William became a Broker of the City, his name presented in the 1869 New Year's "List of Brokers of the City of London", appearing in the "Times" … Phillips, William, 2, Royal Exchange-buildings ... , on Saturday, Jan 02, 1869.


Originally posted at 4:39PM, 24 August 2009 PDT (permalink)
melcir.meri edited this topic 3 months ago.