A 'Great Ventriloquist & Premier Prestidigitateur' performed at Tonbridge Town Hall in March 1848. The cost of a front row seat was 2s.
Take a look at the amazing poster printed to advertise the show on the website below. You won't be disappointed. It makes fascinating reading, and there are four more Tonbridge popular entertainment posters from 1848 on the link too.
http://www.tonbridgehistory.org.uk/photos/posters-1848/slides/poster2.html
This is a little bit of extra info' I have discovered about Mr and Mrs Hutchings on the other posters.
ReplyDeleteWilliam Hutchings was born abt 1809 in Devonshire, and was a Music Professor.
He married Julia Carman in Gorbals, Lanark, Scotland on 21st May 1846.
The couple settled in Tonbridge, living in the High Street next door to Julia's parents John and Mary Ann, sisters Emma and Ellen, and brother Richard.
As well as giving concerts William and Julia teach music and singing.
Their son William John's birth was registered in March 1855, and sadly William's death was also registered in March 1855. Julia's father also dies in the 1850's.
Julia Carman was born in 1828 in Pentonville, London.
Her father John was a General Law Clerk.
After the deaths of their husbands, the mother and daughter and their children lived together at 11 The Terrace, High Street, Tonbridge.
After Julia's mother dies in 1870 she continues to live at The Terrace (teaching music and singing) with her son, brother, sister Ellen and a servant.
We next find her living as a boarder with a 'well to do' family at 17 Bordyke, Tonbridge, her occupation is Music Professor.
By the age of 67 she is with her son William, his wife and five children.
He is a Schoolmaster at Grantham Grammar School, Lincolnshire, and they are all living in the School House in Church Street.
Julia dies aged 74 in 1898.
Some details of the Hutchings musical touring career can be found on the following poster:
Tonbridge Historical Society Archive Collection Z35 poster1
© Tonbridge Historical Society, 2011
On the posters Julia and Emma's surname is given as 'Sinclair', but I have found no trace of this name anywhere; I therefore presume this was a 'stage' name. But if anyone knows to the contrary please let me know!
You are a top researcher handyplasterer. This is very valuable information. I find it hugely interesting that Julia Carman was found to be living in Bordyke. Can one presume she taught at Tonbridge School? Thankyou so much for this. I will be in touch
ReplyDeleteThank you for your 'Snippets', they give me something to research. I've run out of friends and family to help with their family trees!
ReplyDelete1881 Census for 17 Bordyke, Tonbridge:
Harriet Werner, widow, aged 57, Annuitant, born Clapham, Surrey.
Her unmarried daughters, Eva 33, born in Clifton, Somerset and Mary 25, born in Munich, Bavaria, both School mistresses.
Son Edward 16, Scholar, born in New Zealand.
Julie Surian 21, unmarried, born in France, French Governess.
Violet King 16, Pupil, born in Chigwell, Essex.
Eliza Wormwood 26, Cook, born in East Peckham.
Emma Martin 15, Housemaid, born in Leigh.
And Julia.
Bordyke Occupants 1881:
1 George Chapman 61, House Painter.
2 Albert Cowie 27, Cricket Ball Maker.
3 George Denton 25, Gardener.
4 Alfred Bridger 59, Coachman.
5 Cordelia Cowles 74, Widow.
6 George Bellringer 32, Groom.
7 Susannah Tench 70, Landlady.
8 George Dyson 41, Joiner.
9 Bordyke House, William Land 39, General Practitioner.
10 William Pyr 78, Retired Merchant.
11 John Barker 47, Curate in Charge of St.Saviours. (7 children, 3 servants)
12 Sarah Smith 72, Widow.
13 Not occupied.
14 John Gorham 67, Medical Practitioner.
15 Sarah Streeton 68, Clergyman's widow.
16 Not Occupied.
17 Harriet Werner 57, Annuitant.
18 Tabitha Braddon 79, Independant.
Some of the writing is difficult to read, but I think this is a pretty good transcription.