Thursday 4 October 2012

UPDATE of the Past News 1st October 1881

Catch up on the full story of last weeks NEWS...........


*Lighting issue –

The Derbyshire Times of 12th October reported that on Saturday night some of the main streets of Chesterfield had lighting.  

The Brush System of Electric Lighting was on trial for eight days, costing the town council £30.  The lighting up went without a hitch and “a few minutes after nine o’clock, after a preliminary flicker, the globes of the electric light standards sprang into brilliant radiance”.  Many locals turned out to witness the spectacle and a round of applause was given at the switch on.

Seven 2000 candle power lamps were on trial some were placed as follows - 2 in the Market Place, 2 in New Square, 1 “opposite the premises of Mr Windle the Chemist”, 1 at the junction of South Street and Beetwell Street (it doesn’t state where the 7th was).   The lights worked from a one circuit running from a machine in the Old Theatre Royal at the bottom of the Market Place. 

The lights were very popular, but the reported still had reservations stating that he thought smaller lights at more regular intervals would be preferable.  The other streets of the town were still in darkness awaiting the manufacture of the “English” lamps which had already been ordered.
 
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*Major Vincent Eyre –

The will of Sir Vincent Eyre dated 28th July 1866 was proved on 29th October 1881.  He was named as Sir Vincent Eyre C.B, K.C.S.I and had lived at 60 Cambridge Terrace, Hyde Park.  He had died on 22nd September 1881 at Aix-les-Bains, Savoie, France.  The left all his real and personal estate to his widow, Dame Catherine Mary Eyre.

The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography states that he was the third son of Captain Henry Eyre “an old family of Derbyshire cavaliers” born on 22nd January 1811 at Portsdown near Portsmouth.  He served for the East India Company.  He married Emily Mouat, the daughter of Colonel Sir James Mouat, Bengal Engineers and had three sons and a daughter.  Emily passed away in 1851. 

He led a colourful life in the army, serving all over India and France.  Whilst working as the superintendent of the powder works in Ishapore, Calcutta he married his cousin Catherine Eyre.

He spent his later years in Rome for the winter months and in the summer of 1880 whilst in Villa Des Acacias, Ais-Les-Bains he developed “spinal disease” to which he died from its infection.  He is buried in Kensal Green Cemetery, London. 

 
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*William Findley –
In 1871 the census shows William aged 24 years old working as a bank clerk.  He was born in Newcastle Upon Tyne.  He lives with his parents and siblings at the Vicarage, Willington.  His younger brother Andrew was born in Dronfield around 1884.
By 1881 William is now living in Chesterfield, lodging with Edward Cundy and his family at 19 Queen Street, near to Newbold Road.  He is unmarried and works as a bank cashier.  He passed away just 5 months later on 24th September, back at his family home of Willington.  His will was proved on 24th October 1881 and the sum of £113 2s 6d was left to his next of kin, his father Rev William Findley of Willington.
William’s father the Rev William Findley died on 28th November 1888 at Willington, Burton Upon Trent.  He was 83 years old and had been Vicar of Willington for 33 years.


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