AN INDEX OF - NOTTINGHAM WORTHIES -
Here is a list of all the Nottingham Worthies as described in the book:-
"OLD AND NEW NOTTINGHAM", by William Howie Wylie, Published MDCCCLIII (1853)
** Some people have far too many facts for me to transcribe in full, but I will be happy to supply the full text - just ask.
I have now given some of these people their own page - click on the "separate page" against each such name.
ATHERSTONE, Edwin - **
ATTENBURROW, John - **
AYSCOUGH, Samuel - was the son of George AYSCOUGH, the publisher of the "Nottingham Courant," and was born in Bridlesmith gate about 1740. Sent at an early age to the Free Grammar school, young AYSCOUGH was unable to complete his education; for, his father being unfortunate in business and retiring to Bramcote, where he died, Samuel had to apply himself to manual labor as a means of support, and he became a miller. In 1770, however, an old schoolfellow rescued him from the drudgery of the meal-tub, and obtained a situation for him in the British museum. There he set about compiling a correct catalogue of the numberous manuscripts, on accomplishing which he was appointed assistant-librarian. He arranged the papers in the Tower, wrote an index to the first fifty-six volumes of "The Gentleman's Magazine," to "The Monthly Review," and to "The British Critic;" compiled an index to the works of Shakespeare; and published a book answering the "Letters of an American Farmer." Mr. AYSCOUGH eventually took orders, and obtained the curacy of St.George's in the Fields. In 1790 he was appointed to preach the annual Fairchild lecture before the Royal Society, of which he was a member. In 1803 the Lord Chancellor gave him the benefice of Cudham, in Kent. He died on the 30th of October, 1804.
BAILEY, Thomas and Philip James - ** Separate Page.
BARRETT, J., M.A., - rector of St. Peter's, and one of the "rejected" in 1662, published two farewell sermon's, a treatise on the "Covenant of Grace," two controversial treatises against Dr. STILLINGFLEET on nonconformity, "Fifty Queries about Infant Baptism," and other works.
BASTON, Robert - the precise place of whose birth is unknown, is supposed to have been a native of the immediate vicinity of Nottingham. He became a Carmelite friar of Scarborough, and was taken to Scotland by Edward II., in the capacity of historiographer of the invasion, but, unluckily falling into the hands of Robert BRUCE, he was constrained to frame a ditty to a different tune.
BLACKNER, John - **
BLAKE, Andrew, M.D., - **
BONNINGTON, Richard - ** father of Richard Parkes BONNINGTON
BONNINGTON,
Richard Parkes - son of Richard BONNINGTON, was born at Arnold, in October,
1801. Discovering, at the early age of three years, an extraordinary attachment
to the fine arts, he was taken by his parents to Paris in his fiftheenth
year. As a student at the Louve, the Institute, and subsequently in Italy,
he made the most astonishing progress; but, having been seized with consumption,
he returned to his native land, and died in London, in September, 1828.
His productions, especially his marine pieces, gained for him name a European
reputation.
BOOKER, Luke - ** (born 1762 - died 14th February, 1808)
BRIGHTMORE, William - a native of this town, who died in the early part of the seventeenth century, wrote an Illustration of the Book of Revelations.
BROWNE, Frank - **
BURBAGE, George - who died December 6, 1807, aged 80 years, was for thirty years proprietor and printer of the "Nottingham Journal." Of humble extraction, Mr. BURBAGE by persevering industry raised himself to affluence and respectability. His affable and courteous demeanour was proverbial. A person, to illustrate this feature in the publisher's character, once laid a bet with a friend, that at the dead of night he would arouse BURBAGE from his bed, ask him for a halfpenny sheet of writing paper, and, instead of a rebuff get thanked for it. The experiment was tried. A tremendous knocking roused the wearied tradesman from his slumbers. He dressed hastily, hurried down stairs, and, without betraying any irritation struck a light, handed his couple of customers the sheet of paper, receiving the halfpenny with the customary inclination of his head, and his "Thank you, sir; much obliged to you, sir." During the war, Mr. BURBAGE killed more French soldiers, on paper, than France contained. When the particulars of an engagement arrived, his partner, Mr. George STRETTON, would come in with the London paper. "How many shall we say are killed, Mr. BURBAGE?" The colloquy generally ended in an agreement to add a potent cypher to the modest report of the metropolitan journal. "In this manner," says Mr. John SUTTON, "it was supposed they killed twice as many Frenchmen as there were inhabitants of France."
BUTLER, William Joseph, M.A., - **
BYRON, Lord - ** At ten o'clock on the morning of the 16th the melancholy procession set out for Hucknal Torkard in the following manner:- Two constables on horseback; two bailiffs on horseback; Mr WOODESON, the undertaker, on horseback; James ORME, esquire, and twenty-six of Lord RANCLIFFE's tenants, on horseback, two and two; two mutes on horsebacks; a large plume of black feathers, carried on a man's head, with two supporters, on foot; four cloak-men on horseback, two and two; the state horse, richly caparisoned, and led by two pages, the rider carrying on his arms the coronet of the deceased lord on a crimson velvet cushion, ornamented with gold tassels and fringe; the hearse, containing the body; mourning coach and six, with the urn containing the heart; mourning coach and six, containing, as chief mourners, Colonel LEIGH, Colonel WILDMAN, John CAM HOBHOUSE, esquire, M.P., and John HANSON, esquire; mourning coach and six, with the late Lord BYRON's household, who were chiefly foreigners; mourning coach and six, containing the Mayor of Nottingham, Alderman SOARS, and Sheriffs LEAVER and GUILFORD, attended by three of the corporation servants in full mourning; mourning coach and six, containing the Town Clerk, Under-Sheriff, and the rest of the deputation from the corporate body, attended by three servants in full mourning; the right honorable Lord RANCLIFFE's carriage, with his lordship therein; William SHERBROOKE, esquire's carriage, closed; Colonel WILDMAN's carriage, containing the pall-bearers, Messres. STAVELY, A.T.FELLOWS, DUNN, HOMER, J.FELLOWS, and SMITH; a chaise, with Mr. H.M.WOOD and Mr. John CRACKLE; a private carriage; about forty gentlemen on horseback, two and two.
CALVERT, William - a framework-knitter and a writer of verses, flourished in the middle of the eighteenth century. He was honourably distinguished from the unlettered herd among whom he lived. Some of his lines have been published by Mr. John SUTTON in the "Date-Book."
CHAMBERS, Mary - as a notable example of the "attainment of knowledge under difficulties," ought not to be forgotten. In spite of total blindness, she obtained an accurate and even critical acquaintance with ancient and modern languages, rarely attained by those who enjoy the blessing of sight, and used her acquirements to the great benefit of the rising generation around her, many of whom were educted at her seminary. She died in 1848, aged 70 years. (NB. Mary founded what became the Nottingham Blind Institution.)
COCKAYNE, Thomas - as a worthy man, and the second reporter for the Nottingham press of the nineteenth century, Thomas COCKAYNE deserves to be named among the worthies of a town in which he for many years filled two onerous situations. He was originally employed upon the "Journal," and when other newspapers uprose he reported for the whole of them. At length he devoted himself to reporting for the "Guardian," but he died soon after the change, in 1851. In the sketch of an old Nottingham discussions class, Dr. Spencer HALL has preserved a Daguerreotype of the deceased: "To the right of the chairman sits a gentleman with dark hair and grave, expressive features. He wears a black coat and a white cravat, holds a little book in his hand, listens attentively, and takes notes of what is passing. His cloth and his gravity would almost make you think him a clergyman - his notes betoken him a reporter - but he is well known and respected by every one present as Mr. COCKAYNE, master of the Bluecoat school."
DEANE, John - **
DEERING, Charles., M.D., - **
FELKIN, William F.L.S., - **Separate Page
FELLOWS, Sir Charles - brother of A.T. FELLOWS, esquire, banker, is a native of Nottingham. In 1838 he made those researches in Asia Minor which not only extended the amount of human knowledge in an important department, but gained for him the esteem of his countrymen and the honorable distinction of knighthood from the queen.
GILBERT, Joseph - **
GILES, Sidney - **
GOODACRE, Robert - the founder of the school which bears his name, framed an Arithmetic, which has become a standard school book, new editions having been published, revised by the author's son and Mr. W. COCKAYNE, the present masters of Standard hill Academy. Mr. GOODACRE died in 1835, aged 58 years.
HADLEY, Joseph J. - *
HALL, Marshall, M.D., F.R.S., - **
HALL, Spencer T. PH.D., M.A., - **
HALLAM, William - **
HART, Edmund - **
HAWKSLEY, Thomas - as a water-works engineer, is perhaps unequalled in the country. He introduced a bountiful supply of water into Derby, and evidence of his genius exist in Nottingham and many other towns. Liverpool has entrusted him with the execution of the Pike scheme, in the fulfilment of which he is at present engaged. (NB 1853)
HENSON, Gravenor - **
HERVEY, Anthony - **
HICKLIN, John - **
HIGGINBOTTOM, John, F.R.S., - **
HIND, Edward - **
HIND, J. Russell - **
HOGG, Henry - **
HOLDER, William D.D. - was a native of the county of Nottingham, but the precise place of his birth is unknown. He attended the Nottingham Grammar school in his early years, and subsequently proceeded to Pembroke Hall, where he took the degree of M.A. He received the rectory of Bleckingdon, in Oxfordshire, and on account of his loyalty during the Civil Wars was appointed a canon both of Ely and St.Pauls. Subsequently he became sub-dean of the chapel and sub-almoner to the King; was elected one of the members of the Royal Society; "got himself a great name by his wonderful art in making a young gentleman, Alexander POPHAM, son of Col.Edward POPHAM, who was born deaf and dumb, to speak;" published an explanatory treatise, entitled "The Elements of Speech," and afterwards "A Treatise on Music;" was eventually ejected from his living for non-conformity in the reign of James I.; and died about 1675.
HOOTON, Charles - **
HOWITT, The family - *** Separate Page.
HUTCHINSON, Colonel - **
HUTTON, William F.A.S.S. - ** (descendant of a Derbyshire family and the famous bookseller of Birmingham, though a native of Derby, was for some time a resident of Nottingham. His uncle, George HUTTON married the daughter of Thomas SPIBY of Nottingham in 1728.)
JOYNES, Lucy - who was engaged for many years as an instructor of youth, published a variety of small volumes, including "Original Poetry for Infants and Juvenile Minds," and "Occasional and Miscellaneous Poems," the latter issued in 1820. She compiled a large historical chard of the borough. She died in 1851.
KILHAM, Rev. Alexander - one of the founders of the New Connexion, died at the Methodist preachers' house in Hockly on the 20th of December, 1798. His death was caused by the rupture of a blood vessel at the age of thirty-six. His remains were interred within the walls of Hockley chapel. A marble tablet erected over his ashes was removed by the New Connexion to the chapel in Parliament street on the Hockley chapel reverting to the Conference party. Mr. KILHAM's remains, however, were allowed to rest in peace.
KIPPIS, Andrew - **
MANSON, Alexander, M.D., F.R.S., - **
MELLOWS, H. Bradbury - **
MERREY, Walter - a native of York, was apprenticed in his youth to a surgeon at Nottingham. His master died soon after his indentures were signed, and his services were transferred to a hosier and woolcomber, an amalgamation not uncommon in the early days of framework-knitting, and one which MERREY himself practised in Castle gate. He was remarkable for his attainments in numismatics, had an immense collection of ancient corns, and in 1794 published a treatise on the coinage of England, which is still regarded as an authority. He died on the 9th of August 1799, aged seventy-five years.
MILLER, Thomas - ** Separate Page
MILLHOUSE, Robert - ** (born 14th October, 1788 - died April 13, 1839, aged 50 years)
NOTTINGHAM, William de - a provincial of the Augustinian order, died in 1336. He wrote a Concordance of the Evangelists, which was in high repute among the religious for ages.
ORANGE, James - **
OUSELEY, Thomas John - **
PAGET, Eliza - **
PEARSON, John - an eminent mathematician and schoolmaster at Nottingham, died in November, 1791, aged 62 years. He edited "Poor Robin's Almanack" for many years. Although a very satirical person, his society was much courted, and could only be obtained by a handsome sacrifice at the shrine of Bacchus. When the additional burying ground at St. Nicholas's was consecrated he was heard to say, "It is not unlikely my body may be the first corpse interred here." No prognostication in "Poor Robin" ever proved more correct; for, although in his usual health when he made the remark, he really was the first person interred in the new city of the silent.
PEAT, Thomas - the eminent mathematician, died at his residence in Greyfriar's gate, Nottingham, on the 21st of February, 1789, aged 72 years. Notwithstanding his eminence, Mr. PEAT was obliged to combine the pursuits of an astronomer, schoolmaster, and land surveyor with that of a mathematician. He was the oldest almanac writer in England. The "Gentleman's Diary" and "Poor Robin" he compiled upwards of forty years, and his prognostications were generally shrewd and striking. His father occupied a farm in the tonwship of Ashley Hay, near Wirksworth, where Thomas was born. The mistaken man strove by every means in his power to repress his son's growing desire for knowledge, so that, when fourteen years of age, the boy fled to Nottingham, where he prevailed upon his elder brother, then in business in that town as a joiner, to take him as an apprentice. But unfortunately the brother, not less prejudiced and ignorant than the father, opposed his studies, and witheld from Thomas the means of procuring books. He attracted the notice of Mr. Cornelius WILDBORE, a master dyer, who was a regular attendant at the High pavement chapel, like the PEATs; and discovering the dormant powers of the boy, this person generously furnished him with books, and enabled him to prosecute his studies. For conducting the two almanacs PEAT received £23 a year, complete sets of his own publications, and the privilege of ordering every new mathematical book a the expense of the Stationer's Company!
PINKNEY, C.W. - **
PLOUGH, Johannes - rector of St.Peter's, Nottingham, was persecuted for defending, against HOGGARD, the necessity of clergymen marrying, and their right to do so. To avoid threatened danger he sought shelter at Basil, in Switzerland. He died peacefully in 1550.
PLUMPTRE, Huntingdon - According to THOROTON this person, who figured in the time of the Civil War, was eminent as a physician, of great note for wit and learning as he was at an early period of his life for poetry. His portrait has been drawn by the master hand of Mrs. HUTCHINSON, who knew him well. He was a horrible atheist, and had such an intolerable pride that he brooked no superiors. Sir Thomas HUTCHINSON, the father of Colonel HUTHINSON, first brought PLUMPTRE into credit and practice, "it having pleased God to make him instrumental in the cure of Mr. George HUTCHINSON." The doctor espoused the parliamentary interest, and was admitted into the private consultations of the leaders, but proved a traitor; and, after rudely insulting Colonel HUTCHINSON, sent him a ridiculous challenge to fight a duel. In 1643 he sought refuge with Mr. PARKYNS of Bunny, who was at that time in arms against the parliament. The unhappy temperament of this man led him to lampoon his best friends; and, as most of his poems were epigrams, it is not pleasant to preserve them.
RAGG, Thomas - **
REYNOLDS, William - **
ROSSI, John C.F., R.A., - **
SANDBY, Paul - ** painter
SANDBY, Thomas - ** brother of Paul - an architect
SHAW, Colonel - **
SMITH, Sophia Mary - **
STANHOPE, Lady Catherine - second wife of Sir Thomas HUTCHINSON, lived to the age of 102 years, and is reported to have retained her faculties to the end of her life. This lady dwelt in great splendour at Nottingham, and while there she communicated many important remarks to her grandson, Julius HUTCHINSON, esquire, of Owthorpe, which will be found incorportated in the memoirs of the great colonel, who, of course, was her stepson.
STERNE, Richard D.D. - Nottinghamshire claims this divine for one of her sons, but the particular parish of his birth is unknown. He was born in 1598, and is reputed to have come of an ancient stock. The Free School of Nottingham afforded him his early education. Thence he proceeded to Christ Church College, Oxford, where he graduated, and was soon after admitted to holy orders. Archbishop LAUD appointed STERNE one of his chaplains, and he was afterwards elected master of Jesus College. Along with his patron he was imprisoned in the Tower of London; but, as nothing could be proved against him, he was set at liberty shortly after the execution of the archbishop. Retiring into obscurity during the Protectorate, he was at the Restoration appointed Bishop of Carlisle. In 1664 he became Archbishop of York, which dignity he enjoyed till the day of his death in 1684.
STORER, John - was an eminent preacher among the Society of Friends, and twice made a tour of the American continent. He died in Welbourn, after a few hours' illness, on the 6th of June, 1795, at the age of 71, and his remains were interred in the burial ground in Walnut-tree lane.
SUTTON, Henry Septimus - **
TATHAM, Mr. - of the brass foundry at the corner house in Bridlesmith gate, leading into Peter gate, was the first person who introduced gas light into Nottingham: he did so in 1814.
THOMPSON, Benjamin - **
THORNHAGH, Colonel - This brave, frank, and amiable soldier was the eldest son of Sir Francis THORNHAGH. According to Mrs. HUTCHINSON, he was "a man of a most upright faithful heart to God and God's people, and to his country's true interest, comprehended in the parliament's cause." He was a valiant warrior and a true-hearted friend. The family of Colonel THORNHAGH continued to flourish in the county of Nottingham so late as the year 1750, at which time one of them represented the county. They are now extinct in the male line, and their possessions have centred in the family of the FOLJAMBES.
THOROTON, Robert M.D., - of Car-Colston, Nottinghamshire, wrote a "History of Nottingham, and also of the County," the first now extant. This book he compiled partly from materials collected by his deceased father-in-law, Gilbert HOUN, serjeant-at-law, who resided in Bugge Hall on the High pavement. The work was issued in 1677, in one folio volume, having been printed in London. The author did not long survive this event; he died on the 28th of November 1678.
THROSBY, John - **
UNWIN, Matthew - hosier, who published in 1783 a small volume of poems of an evangelical character, did not live to execute anything more likely to preserve his name. He died at Nottingham on the 20th of August, 1786, at the early age of twenty-eight years.
VASON, George - **
WAKEFIELD, Francis - was a gentleman of the most active and unostentatious benevolence; and, from his connexion with the Sunday schools of Nottingham in their infancy, his name is worthy of a niche in the local annals. He was superintendent of the school at which Robert MILLHOUSE, the poet, received, the whole of his scanty education. Mr. WAKEFIELD died at his house on the Low pavement, in the sixty-second year of his age, on February the 5th, 1820. His remains were interred in St. Peter's church. The Rev. R.W. ALMOND read the burial service, and a large concourse of people, of all sects and partied, were present at the ceremonial.
WAKEFIELD, Gilbert - ** (born 22nd of February 1756 - died 1776.)
WALKER, George F.R.S. - was, for twenty-five years, a Unitarian minister of this town. He was president of the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society. During his residence at Nottingham he published his "Treatise on the Spheres;" a "Treatise on the Conic Sections;" two volumes of Sermons; and other useful works. As a politician, he was ardent in the cause of reform; as a preacher, devout, earnest, and eloquent; but as a man of the world he fell short of those who, in every other respect, were of a much lesser stature. "His hand," says BLACKNER, "could grasp a word of science, but could never hold a shilling if he met an object of distress." He died on the 21st of April, 1807.
WHITE, Henry Kirke - ** (born 21st of March, 1785 - died Sunday, October 19, 1806)
WILCOCKSON, Mrs. James - **
WILDBORE, Charles - was born in Nottingham in the year 1736. Left an orphan, he was at an early age confided to the officers of St. Nicholas's workhouse. At the Blue-coat school he was remarkable for his extreme dullness, his absence of mind, and his profound mathematical knowledge. Apprenticed at the age of fourteen to an apothecary who went by the name of "Doctor PARTRIDGE," he in his twenty-fourth year married a Miss Ann LEE at Kirkby Woodhouse, and shortly afterwards slid happily into the possession of a little estate at Kirton, near Boston, in Lincolnshire. Mr. WILDBORE at the age of thirty took orders, and obtained the curacy of Broughton Sulney, in Nottinghamshire, which he held with high reputation till his death in October 1802. At the death of PEAT, Mr. WILDBORE obtained the principal share in the management of the "Gentleman's Magazine."
WILKINS, Venerable George, D.D., - **
WILLIAMS, John Calthorp, M.D., - **
WRIGHT, Ichabod Charles M.A., F.R.S.L., - ** (1795)
WRIGHT, John - **
WRIGHT, John Smith - esquire - of Rempstone Hall, must ever be remembered as a gentleman of high character and extensive benevolence, but especially as the best friend of the Mechanics' Institution in its youth and when it had achieved a safe and respectable position. After a useful career he died on the 25th of March, 1848, aged 74 years.
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