In the second half of the 19th century when Middlesbrough – Gladstone's "Infant Hercules" – boomed from a farmhouse to an important industrial town in the space of decades, solicitors played a significant part in the business and private life of the borough.
Among the solicitors of Middlesbrough, Stockton and Darlington were firms that, in 1990, amalgamated to make the present firm of Messrs Jacksons. Their history up to the Second World War is set out below.
Their history up to 1990, together with deeds and documents relating to the constituent firms of Messrs Meek, Stubbs & Barnley and the Meek family, have been deposited at Teesside Archives.
The dates in brackets after the names of practitioners are the dates of admission as a solicitor. I have set out some brief biographical details at the end of each section in which a solicitor first appears. They come from a variety of backgrounds and from across the country.
JACKSONS, MONK & ROWE
1876 Gilbert Benjamin Jackson (1876) first practising as Solicitor and Attorney at 42 Albert Road, Middlesbrough
1878 Gilbert Benjamin Jackson and his brother Francis Henry Jackson (1872) practising as Jackson & Jackson in Middlesbrough, Loftus and Saltburn
1892 Jackson & Jackson practising also at 61 Lincoln's Inn, London
1896 Gilbert Benjamin Jackson and Francis Henry Jackson with James Bell Stothart practising as Jackson, Jackson & Stothart at 23 Coleman Street, London and at Middlesbrough
1899 Philip Henry Monk (1898) with Jackson & Jackson in Middlesbrough and subsequently in London.
1901 Loftus practice sold to Henry Hoggart
1904 London office sold to Elwell & Binford Hole
1906 Philip Henry Monk a partner in Jackson & Jackson
1907 Gilbert Benjamin Jackson, Francis Henry Jackson, Francis's son Basil Jackson (1905) and Philip Henry Monk practising as Jackson & Jackson in Middlesbrough
Name of firm changed to Jackson & Monk
1920 Death of Basil Jackson from war wounds
1930 Death of Francis Jackson
1931 Retirement of Gilbert Jackson
1933 Herbert Edward Rowe (1928) partner in Jackson & Monk with Philip Henry Monk
1938 Firm became Jacksons, Monk & Rowe
(1989 Jacksons, Monk & Rowe merge with Cohen, Jackson with firm name of Jacksons)
Gilbert Benjamin Jackson (1854-1936)
Son of a Malton solicitor, brother of Francis Henry Jackson
Leeds Mercury, 22 October 1936Death of veteran solicitorThe death has taken place in a Newcastle nursing home of Mr Gilbert Benjamin Jackson, of the White House, Saltburn, who until five years ago was a partner in the firm of Jacksons and Monk, solicitor, Middlesbrough. Mr Jackson, who was 82, at the time of his retirement was the oldest practising solicitor in the district.A son of the late Henry Jackson, solicitor, of Woodbrow, Malton, he was a director and vice-chairman of the Cleveland Trust, Ltd., and chairman of the North-East and Improved Dwellings Co. Ltd.
Francis Henry Jackson (1850-1930)
Son of a Malton solicitor, brother of Gilbert Francis Jackson
Son of a Malton solicitor, brother of Gilbert Francis Jackson
Yorkshire Post, 1 March 1930The death has occurred, in his 80th year, of Mr Francis Henry Jackson, one of Middlesbrough's oldest solicitors, of the firm of Jackson and Monk.He was the third son of the late Mr Henry Jackson, of Woodrow, Malton, who carried on one of the oldest legal practices in the North Riding, and served his articles with his elder brother.Mr Jackson established the Middlesbrough business with his younger brother, Mr Gilbert Jackson, in 1874, and in 1906 became associated with Mr P H Monk.For the last 40 years he lived at Manor House, Normanby. he leaves a married daughter. His wife died some years ago, and his only son died shortly after war service.
James Bell Stothart (1867-1914)
Son of a Stockton solicitor. He was articled to C J Archer of Stockton and became the London-based partner of the Jackson brothers
Daily Gazette for Middlesbrough, 9 April 1914Stothart - On April 6th, James Bell Stothart, of London Wall, E.C., solicitor, son of the late James Stothart, of Stockton-on-Tees. Interment at Stockton-on-Tees on Friday
Philip Henry Monk (1869-1949)
Born Harborne, Staffs, son of an accountant
Born Harborne, Staffs, son of an accountant
Cleveland Standard, 12 August 1949A well-known Tees-side personality, Mr Philip Henry Monk, of 'Cotswold', Britannia-terrace, Saltburn, died on Tuesday, aged 80.Until his retirement at the beginning of 1948, from active participation in the firm of Messrs Jackson, Monk and Rowe, Mr Monk was one of the oldest solicitors in Middlesbrough.Mr Monk, a native of Cheltenham, came to Middlesbrough in 1899 to join the firm, then called Messrs Jackson and Jackson, as assistant solicitor.Later in the year he left to take charge of the London office. In 1906, two years after returning to Middlesbrough, Mr Monk became a partner in the firm, and subsequently head on the death of the Jacksons.Mr Monk was a prominent Freemason, being a founder member of the Huntcliffe Lodge at Saltburn, and the first master of Hazel Grove Lodge
Basil Jackson (1881-1920)
Son of Francis Henry Jackson, died as a consequence of wounds suffered on active service
Son of Francis Henry Jackson, died as a consequence of wounds suffered on active service
From The Record of Service of Solicitors & Articled Clerks with His Majesty's Forces, 1914-9
Admitted July 1905. Member of Jacksons & Monk, of Middlesbrough. Mobilised Aug 1914, as Capt., 4th Batt APWO Yorkshire Regt (T.), promoted Major April 1915, Staff Capt Aug 1914 to Aug 1916, Brigade Major 142nd Infantry Brigade Aug 1916 to Jan 1917, attached British Mission to Portuguese Expeditionary Force Jan to Dec 1917, G.S.O. VII. Corps Dec 1917 to Nov 1918. Twice mentioned in Dispatches. Awarded the D.S.O., T.D., and Ancient Order of Aviz of Portugal. Served in France and at Home. Wounded April 22, 1915
Cleveland Standard, 14 August 1920Death of Major Jackson, of NormanbyThe death occurred at the Manor House, Normanby, Cleveland, of Major Basil Jackson, D.S.O., T.D., who was a principal of the firm of Messrs Jackson and Jackson, now Jacksons and Monk, a well-known firm of Middlesbrough solicitors.He rendered gallant service during the war, in which he gained his majority and D.S.O. He was associated with the 4th Yorks and afterwards on the headquarters staff. While in command of the local Territorials he was greatly respected by his men.Major Jackson, who was unmarried, was 39 years of age, and had been seriously ill since Good Friday. The funeral took place at Eston Cemetery on Tuesday afternoon.
BELK & SMITH
1868 John Thomas Belk (1859) practising in Middlesbrough as sole principal and appointed part-time Town Clerk of Middlesbrough in succession to J S Peacock
1876 John Thomas Belk retired as part-time Town Clerk and was succeeded by George Bainbridge as full-time Town Clerk
1877 John Thomas Belk and Henry John Parrington (1867) practising as J T Belk & Parrington
1883 John Thomas Belk and Henry John Parrington no longer in partnership
1885 John Thomas Belk and Oswald Henry Cochrane (1884) practising as John T Belk & Cochrane
1892 Thomas Belk (1891), son of John Thomas Belk, practising in Middlesbrough
Thomas Belk partner in firm of Belk, Cochrane & Belk
1902 John Thomas Belk no longer practising
1913 Reginald William Smith practising in Middlesbrough
1920 Reginald William Smith partner with Thomas Belk in Belk & Smith, Oswald Henry Cochrane having left firm on appointment as HM Coroner for Middlesbrough County Borough and Langbaurgh North
1928 Humphrey Cochrane Belk (1927), son of Thomas Belk, practising in Middlesbrough
1929 Humphrey Cochrane Belk a partner in Belk & Smith
(Belk & Smith became Breen & Smith in 1964 and acquired the practice of Watson, Barlow & Fisker in 1968. In 1969 Breen & Smith merged with Jacksons, Monk & Rowe)
Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail, 24 November 1928Surely no other family in the North of England can show – during the last 90 years – a record of legal and municipal appointments as to surpass the following: Two Borough Recorders, three Town Clerks, eight Justices' Clerks, a Coroner, two law clerks to a Port and Harbour Commission, a solicitor to two railway companies, three engineers to a Port and Harbour Commission, a Clerk to an Urban District Council with 32,000 inhabitants, and four colonels.
Yet such is the truly remarkable – probably unique – record of the well-known Belk family, of Hartlepool, since the year 1839, when the late Mr Thomas Belk took up residence in Hartlepool.
As far as Hartlepool is concerned this long family line of public office is severed by Mr Alfred Belk's recent resignation of the Clerkship to the Hartlepool Justices, although another member (a grandson of Mr Thomas Belk), Mr J D Howkins, is acting in retirement as consulting engineer to the Port and Harbour Commission and another grandson, Mr Thomas Belk, is clerk to the Middlesbrough Justices and Clerk to the Eston Urban District Council, which represents an area of 32,000 population.
The founder of this remarkable family tradition of almost a century. Mr Thomas Belk, was twice elected after contests on the Pontefract Town Council before he came to Hartlepool 89 years ago. Soon after his arrival at Hartlepool he was made an alderman, and a freeman by charter of the borough. He became Town Clerk in 1841, Clerk to the Hartlepool Justices in 1852, and Clerk to the Hartlepool Petty Sessional Division in 1858. He was appointed a Port and Harbour Commissioner in 1841. He acted as solicitor to the old West Hartlepool Dock and Railway Company, and afterwards to the N.E. Railway for the Hartlepool district, an appointment which he held until the late Mr Gibb was made solicitor for the whole system. He succeeded the late Mr Stapleton as Recorder of Hartlepool in 1876, and was also Law Clerk to the Port and Harbour Commission.
His eldest son, Mr John Thomas Belk, became Town Clerk of Middlesbrough, Clerk to the Middlesbrough Justices, Coroner of Langborough [sic] (a Middlesbrough district), and Recorder of Hartlepool. He also held the rank of colonel in the Tees Submarine Miners .Mr S Herbert Belk, another son, was Clerk to the Hartlepool Justices, Clerk to the Justices for the Petty Sessional Division of West Hartlepool, and then for the Borough of West Hartlepool. He also became law clerk to the Port and Harbour Commission.
Of the other sons, Mr Henry Belk was Town Clerk of Hartlepool, and carried through the Hartlepool Borough Extension Act 1883, adding Middleton and Throston to the borough; and the only surviving son, Mr Alfred Belk, was Clerk to the Hartlepool Justices till recently. Another son, Mr William Belk, was engineer to the Port and Harbour Commission.
Of Mr Thomas Belk's other relations, the late Mr John Howkins, who married a daughter of Mr Belk, was also engineer to the Port and Harbour Commission, and Mr Howkins's son, Mr J D Howkins, also held that post till he retired some months ago. At present he holds the position of consulting engineer.
Another grandson, also living, is Mr Thomas Belk, the Clerk to the Middlesbrough Justices and Clerk to the Eston Urban District Council. Another living grandson, Mr William Belk, was a colonel in the 4th Dragoon Guards, and during the war was Assistant Quartermaster-General and Assistant Adjutant-General for a district. He also received the honour of being one of the cavalry officers selected to form the Royal Bodyguard at the late King Edward's Coronation. On his retirement from the Army he was made a Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George.
The late Dr James Rawlings, another son-in-law of Mr Thomas Belk, did military service as surgeon-colonel in the Royal Garrison Artillery.
John Thomas Belk (1837-1901)
Son of Thomas Belk. Born at Pontefract, twice married, he died at his home in Park Road North, Middlesbrough; he also had a country house at Grasmere. A Freemason [Daily Gazette for Middlesbrough, 9 May 1901]
Swindon Advertiser, 9 May 1901Mr John Thomas Belk, Recorder of Hartlepool and a lawyer of extensive practice in North Yorkshire, died of pneumonia in Middlesbrough this morning.Lieut-Col John Thomas Belk, JP, was a son of the late Mr Thomas Belk, of Hartlepool, and was born on November 9th, 1837. After receiving his education at Houghton-le-Spring and Wakefield Grammar School, he studied the law. In 1876 he married Jane, daughter of the late Mr Edward Williams, of Middlesbrough. He had been Recorder of Hartlepool since 1890, and Lieut-Col of the Tees Royal Engineers Volunteer Submarine Miners for some time.
[The Volunteer Submarine Miners were a volunteer force affiliated with the Royal Engineers. It was established in 1886. The Tees Volunteer Submarine Miners' headquarters was in Middlesbrough]
Henry John Parrington (1845-1923)
Born in Marton, son of Joseph Parrington, Land Surveyor. He was one of the family that was the last to live at the Middlesbrough Farm. Freemason, Clerk to the Eston School Board Lived at Coatham
Oswald Henry Cochrane (1857-1955)
Born in Middlesbrough, son of Henry Cochrane of Ormesby Iron Works who lived at Longlands, Middlesbrough. Member of the first Middlesbrough Association Football Club in the 1880s [Yorkshire Post, 25 November 1947]
Thomas Belk (1867-1953)
Born in Seaton Carew, son of John Thomas Belk. Clerk to Middlesbrough Magistrates for 52 years. Lived at Bridge House, Normanby. Humphrey Cochrane Belk, born 1903, was his son.
Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail, 29 December 1953Mr Thomas Belk, Clerk to Middlesbrough magistrates for 52 years, who was probably the oldest serving magistrates' clerk in the country when he retired last April has died at 86.He took over the post in succession to his father during the Boer War and for several years the only motoring offence his court dealt with was failing to have a person walking ahead of a vehicle with a warning red flag.
Reginald William Smith (1886-1956)
Born in Manchester, son of a clergyman.
H & J P WATSON
1904 Harold Watson (1897) practising at 1 Queens Terrace, Middlesbrough
1906 Harold Watson and John Peirson Watson (1906), brothers, practising as H & J P Watson
1917 John Peirson Watson reported missing in action, presumed killed
Harold Watson practising as H & J P Watson
1928 Robert Henry Barlow (1923) partner with Harold Watson in H & J P Watson
(Harold Watson was killed in an air-raid on Redcar in 1941. After the War, the practice became Watson, Barlow & Fisker and was acquired by Breen & Smith in 1968)
Harold Watson (1873-1941)
Son of Henry Watson, solicitor and JP, and brother and partner of John Peirson Watson. Lived at 3 Coatham Villas, educated at Coatham Grammar School. Killed at home, 15 Coatham Road, Coatham, together with his sister Marion in an air raid on Redcar. Neither had married; they were aged 69 and 66.
John Peirson Watson (1878-1917)
Son of Henry Watson, solicitor and JP, and brother and partner of Harold Watson. Lived at 3 Coatham Villas, educated at Coatham Grammar School
The Record of Service of Solicitors & Articled Clerks with His Majesty's Forces, 1914-9
Admitted Feb 1906. Member of H & J P Watson, of Middlesbrough. Joined Dec 11, 1915, as Private, Middlesex Regt. Gazetted 2nd Lieut April 26, 1917, and appointed to East Yorkshire Regt May 1917. Served in Belgium and France 1916 and 1917. Reported wounded and missing July 29, 1917, subsequently presumed killed.
Robert Henry Barlow (1880-1957)
Robert Henry Barlow qualified late in life. In 1921 he was 40 years old, a Law Clerk with H & J P Watson at 9 Queen's Terrace, Middlesbrough, living with his wife and children in 36 Ayresome Street.
COHEN, JACKSON
1904 Reuben Cohen (1902) practising in Stockton-on-Tees as sole principal
1908 Reuben Cohen acquires practice of William Charles Langley (1875) and Edward Reginald Elliot (1881)
1921 Thomas Jackson (1920) practising in Stockton
1924 Reuben Cohen and Thomas Jackson practising as R Cohen & Co
1927 Norman James Scott (1926) practising in Stockton
1928 Norman James Scott partner in Reuben Cohen & Co with Reuben Cohen and Thomas Jackson
1932 Nathan Leslie Cohen (1931), son of Reuben Cohen, partner in Reuben Cohen & Co
1934 Reuben Cohen retired from practice. Practice continued by remaining partners as Cohen, Jackson & Scott
(Cohen, Jackson & Scott became Cohen, Jackson, Scott & Simon in 1971 upon merger with H Simon & Co. The firm was renamed Cohen, Jackson in 1987 and in 1989 merged with Jacksons, Monk & Rowe)
Reuben Cohen (1880-1958)
Born in Darlington, his parents were naturalised British citizens born in Russia, his father was a bill discounter.
Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail, 1 September 1958Mr Reuben Cohen, of Richmond Road, Stockton, for many years Registrar of County Courts at Middlesbrough, Stockton, Guisborough, Stokesley and West Hartlepool. Deputy Chairman of Durham Quarter Sessions 1940-55 … died aged 77
Reuben Cohen's son Clifford Theodore Cohen, barrister, educated at Clifton College and Magdalen College, Cambridge, won the M.C. serving with Black Watch, Tyneside Scottish, spent 5 years as a POW and was appointed County Court Judge 1953 [Shields Daily Gazette, 1 July 1953]
Reuben Cohen's son Nathan Leslie Cohen "retired from practice in 1945. As a member of the Territorial Army he had left for war service in 1939, and he had an adventurous career in the Army and subsequently in the Colonial Service serving as a District Magistrate in Malaysia and subsequently as a Special Justice in Cyprus. At the time when I obtained the above information, Nathan Cohen was still alive and flourishing, as I hope he still is." [letter by John Harrison Storey, 21 January 1993]
William Charles Langley (c1851-1903)
Born in Paris, a British subject, son of newspaper editor William Hilliar Langley, a distinguished racing correspondent, who wrote for Bell's Life and the Morning Post and died in Italy [Article by Nick Crouch describing the painting 'The Yearling Sale in Doncaster' by Lowes Cato Dickinson: Heritage Doncaster website]. Mayor of Stockton 1893
Newcastle Daily Chronicle, 29 December 1903Yesterday, the death took place of Mr W C Langley, solicitor of Stockton, at the age of 52. Deceased was twelve years a member of the Stockton Town Council. He retired from office two years ago. In 1893, he was elected Mayor. He was twice president of the Stockton Chamber of Commerce, and once president of Stockton Lit. and Phil. In 1896 he was appointed a justice of the peace.
Edward Reginald Elliot (c1858- )
Born at Low Worsall, son of the vicar of Sockburn. Living at Highfield, Eaglescliffe when he went bankrupt in 1907
Born at Low Worsall, son of the vicar of Sockburn. Living at Highfield, Eaglescliffe when he went bankrupt in 1907
Thomas Jackson (1887- )
Born in Skelton, son of assistant superintendant of insurance.
Daily Gazette for Middlesbrough, 12 May 1934Mr Thomas Jackson, one of the most popular members of the legal profession on Tees-side, is Mr Thomas Jackson, of 13, West End-terrace, Stockton, senior partner in the firm of Messrs Cohen, Jackson, and Scott, solicitors, Stockton.
Born at Skelton on August 21, 1887, he came to Stockton 33 years ago, and began his career as a junior clerk with Mr Reuben Cohen. In 1920 he qualified to practise as a solicitor, and upon the appointment of Mr Reuben Cohen to the registrarship of Stockton and Middlesbrough, he became senior partner in the newly-formed firm of Messr Cohen, Jackson and Scott.
He has not taken any part in public life other than to hold honorary solicitorships to several local institutions, including the Stockton, Thornaby and District Chamber of Trade, the Stockton and District Commercial Travellers' Association, and the Stockton branch of the British Legion.
One of his hobbies is collecting pictures. He is also a keen all-round sportsman, and plays golf. He says, however, that he finds it more irksome than work. Cricket, football, and boxing claim his attention as a spectator.
He is a Freemason, having recently been installed as W.M. of the Lodge of Freedom.
Norman James Stewart Scott (1895-1967)
Born in Glasgow, it seems his family moved to the Teesside area when he was a child. When he was 16 his father was working as a fruit salesman for a fruit and potato merchant and they lived at 26 Norfolk St, Stockton. At the time of the 1921 census, he was 26 years old, articled to Reuben Cohen, and living or staying at 3 Albert Road, Stockton in the household of his father-in-law, a woodcutting machinist working for a builder
SIMON & SIMON
1921 Frederick Hyman Bloom practising in Middlesbrough
1932 Henry Samuel Simon (1932) practising in Middlesbrough
1935 Henry Samuel Simon with Frederick Hyman Bloom practising as Bloom & Simon
(By the end of the war Frederick Hyman Bloom was no longer in the firm and Henry Samuel Simon was joined by his brother Percy David Simon (1947) as H S Simon & Co. In 1962 the name was changed to Simon & Simon and in 1971 it merged with Cohen, Jackson & Scott)
Frederick Hyman Bloom (1892- )
Born in the Russian Empire, son of a jeweller and pawnbroker who came with his wife and children to Stockton-on-Tees. F H Bloom was naturalised with the rest of his family in 1895.
Record of Service of Solicitors & Articled Clerks with His Majesty's Forces, 1914-9
Admitted March 1915, practising at Middlesbrough. Served as Lance-Corporal Royal Engineers
In 1939 he was unmarried and living with his widowed mother at 23 Cornfield Road, Middlesbrough. National press reported his conviction for a clothing coupons offence in 1942 [Daily Record, 17 March 1942, Derby Daily Telegraph, 8 April 1942]; he was no longer in partnership with Henry Samuel Simon at the end of the war. His mother died in Manchester in 1943 and he was her executor, described in the National Probate Calendar as a solicitor.
LUCAS, HUTCHINSON & MEEK
1811-36 Francis Mewburn (1809) practising in Darlington as sole principal
1837-45 Francis Mewburn practising in partnership with his son-in-law Henry Hutchinson (1833)
1845-61 Francis Mewburn in partnership in Darlington with Henry Hutchinson and Francis Mewburn junior (1843) in the firm of Mewburn, Hutchinson & Mewburn
1862 Henry Hutchinson and Arthur Lucas (1859) practising as Hutchinson & Lucas
1865 Death of Henry Hutchinson
1866 Arthur Lucas practising as sole principal
1870 Edward Hutchinson (1869), son of the late Henry Hutchinson, practising with Arthur Lucas as Hutchinson & Lucas
1891 Ernest Edwin Meek (1882) practising with his father-in-law Arthur Lucas and Edward Hutchinson as Lucas, Hutchinson & Meek, Darlington
1903 (Dec) Partnership Agreement between Edward Hutchinson and the brothers Ernest Edwin Meek and James Matthew Meek relating to practice in Middlesbrough and district. Arthur Lucas no longer practising.
1907 Death of Ernest Edwin Meek
1907 Edward Hutchinson, James Matthew Meek, Arthur Percy Whitwell and George Frederick Lucas practising as Lucas, Hutchinson & Meek
James Matthew Meek in Middlesbrough and Coatham only.
1912 Thomas Duncan Henlock Stubbs becomes partner in Lucas, Hutchinson & Meek (with Edward Hutchinson, James Matthew Meek, Arthur Percy Whitwell and George Frederick Lucas practising with James Matthew Meek in Middlesbrough)
1919 Death of Edward Hutchinson
Retirement from Lucas, Hutchinson & Meek of Thomas Duncan Henlock Stubbs (who continued in practice as Clerk to the Justices of Langbaurgh North and subsequently as Secretary of Dorman Long & Co) and of James Matthew Meek who entered into partnership with George William Wynne Barnley practising as Meek, Stubbs & Barnley
Arthur Percy Whitwell sole principal of Lucas, Hutchinson & Meek
1926 Ernest Anthony Meek (1920), son of the late Ernest Edwin Meek, partner in Lucas Hutchinson & Meek
1928 George Frederick Lucas no longer partner in Lucas, Hutchinson & Meek
(In 1950 Lucas, Hutchinson & Meek became Lucas & Co. In 1954 the firm's sole principal entered partnership with Allan Aylmer Luxmoore and Edmund Luxmoore of Clayhills Sons & Feetham to practise as Clayhills, Lucas & Co, which merged with Jacksons in 1990)
Francis Mewburn senior (1785–1867)
Eminent Darlington solicitor, remembered as the "railway solicitor" for his part in the development of the Stockton & Darlington Railway.
At the date of his retirement Francis Mewburn senior was solicitor to the Stockton & Darlington Railway Co., the Great North of England Railway Company, the Bishop Auckland & Weardale Co., the Wear Valley Railway Co., the Wear & Derwent Junction Railway Co., the Middlesbrough and Redcar Railway Co., the Shildon Tunnel Co., and also Clerk to the Commission of Angel and Barton Lane and Turnpike Road, the Town Improvement Cormissioners for Darlington, and the Chief Bailiff of the Borough of Darlington.
Darlington & Richmond Herald, 15 June 1867We deeply regret to have to record the death, at his residence, Larchfield, of Francis Mewburn, Esq., the Chief Bailiff of Darlington. The deceased gentleman, who would have attained his 82nd year in December next, has been a prominent public man in Darlington for upwards of half a century. He was, we believe, a native of Danby Dale, in Cleveland, was educated at Ormesby, and served his articles with the late Francis Smales, Esq., of Durham. He was admitted as a solicitor in the year 1809, and commenced business in Darlington immediately after on Mayday in that year.
By good legal attainments and persevering industry there gradually came into his hands one of the largest businesses in the North of England, for his ability and integrity soon secured him an honourable and lucrative practice. Few men were more energetic, or worked harder or longer than Mr Mewburn, whose perseverance and methodical business habits were familiar to all who were in any way connected with him. In the year 1817, as solicitor, he was associated with George Stephenson and Mr Edward Pease in the formation of the first passenger railway in the kingdom – the Stockton and Darlington; and much, it is believed was due to his energy and resources in getting that undertaking passed through its various parliamentary stages at a time when railways were considered little better than an experiment ...
… Mr Mewburn's business occupied a prominent position in the North of England. The increasing practice soon became too much for a single hand, and the late Mr Hutchinson, and subsequently his son, Mr F Mewburn became associated with him, and the firm was universally known as Mewburn, Hutchinson and Mewburn ...
Henry Hutchinson (1810-1865)
Son of a Stockton iron merchant. He married his partner Francis Mewburn senior's daughter, Frances Ann
Son of a Stockton iron merchant. He married his partner Francis Mewburn senior's daughter, Frances Ann
Leeds Intelligencer, 24 December 1836
Tuesday last, at Darlington, by the Rev T W Minton, Hy Hutchinson, Esq., of the firm of Mewburn and Hutchinson, solicitors, to Miss Mewburn, eldest daughter of Francis Mewburn Esq. of Paradise-green, Darlington
Yorkshire Gazette, 16 September 1865
On the 12th inst., at his residence, Harewood Grove, Darlington, Henry Hutchinson, Esq., of the firm of Hutchinson and Lucas (late Mewburn, Hutchinson and Mewburn,) solicitors
Francis Mewburn jnr (1821-1886)
Son of Francis Mewburn senior, articled to his father. Retired early from practice.
North Star (Darlington), 15 June 1886The death is announced, at Bridlington, of Mr Francis Mewburn, late of Larchfield, Darlington, at the age of 65 years. His father was the first solicitor to the Stockton and Darlington Railway, and the last chief bailiff of Darlington.
The subject of this obituary was also a solicitor. The prosaic technicalities of his profession, however, had no attraction for him, the bent of his mind being strongly in the direction of the fine arts. He was an excellent judge of a picture, and an able art critic. Having spent much of his time abroad, he was a thorough man of the world, although not, by any means, a worldly man.
In regard to financial matters, his character may, without disrespect, be said to have resembled somewhat the eccentric disposition of Dickens' Harold Skimpole. Courtly to a degree, and well-informed, and possessing unusual conversational powers, with an inexhaustible fund of anecdote, he was excellent company. By no means indifferent to the good things of this life, he enjoyed the reputation of an epicure. A "sea-pie" composed of ingredients specified by Mr Mewburn was a toothsome delicacy which few could resist. His personal appearance of late years was eminently calculated to attract notice. His head-gear not infrequently consisted of a huge Tam O'Shanter or Glengarry; he allowed his hair to grow to a cavalier-like length, and walked with the aid of an elongated crook stick.
About two years ago, Mr Mewburn left Darlington, and took up his residence at Bridlington.
Arthur Lucas (c1837-1930)
Born Hitchin, Herts, of a Quaker family. Father-in-law of Ernest Edwin Meek. Partner of Edward Hutchinson; they had the office on Bull Wynd which had been occupied by Francis Mewburn, solicitor, until the dissolution of Mewburn, Hutchinson and Mewburn [Men that are gone from the households of Darlington by Henry Spencer (1864)]. Retired to Bournemouth
Edward Hutchinson (1845-1918)
Son of Darlington solicitor Henry Hutchinson (1810-1865), grandson of Francis Mewburn senior
North Star (Darlington), 29 April 1918The death took place at Darlington yesterday, of Mr Edward Hutchinson, The Elms, senior partner in the firm of Lucas, Hutchinson & Meek, solicitors. He was 73 years of age.
Mr Hutchinson was a partner for upwards of 48 years and was admitted a solicitor of the Supreme Court in 1867. His father was Mr Henry Hutchinson, of Durham City [correction: of Darlington], and it is worthy of note that deceased's grandfather and great grandfather were also in business in that city as solicitors.
Mr Hutchinson devoted a great deal of time to public work. He was Chairman of the Darlington Board of Guardians, succeeding the late Mr John Feetham to that position on his retirement in April 1916. His active interest in poor law administration was unflagging, but he was equally industrious in regard to the General Hospital, holding office as Chairman of the Committee for many years. Last year he succeeded in raising a fund of several thousands of pounds, which placed the institution clear of debt.
A staunch Churchman, he had been a warden at St Hilda's Church since its opening. He was Chairman of the Darlington Grammar School Governors until recently, when the control of the School passed into the hands of the Corporation. In politics Mr Hutchinson was a Unionist and had held office as Chairman of the Darlington Unionist Association. He was married in 1874, and Mrs Hutchinson, who is a daughter of the late Sir David Dale, who survives him.
[Sir David Dale was an industrialist, chairman of the Consett Iron Company and Pease & Partners]
Ernest Edwin Meek (1859-1906)
Fourth son of Sir James Meek, York industrialist who was three times Lord Mayor of York.
Yorkshire Post, 17 December 1906Mr Ernest Edwin Meek, solicitor, of Elton Villas, Darlington, died yesterday after an illness of a few weeks' duration, the chief cause of death being catarrh of the stomach. Mr Meek, who was about 40 years of age, was a partner in the firm of Lucas, Hutchinson and Meek, which he joined about fifteen years since. Formerly he was assistant solicitor to the North-Eastern Railway at York, of which city he was a native, his father being the late Sir James Meek. His brothers are Mr W A Meek, the Recorder of York, and Mr J M Meek, solicitor, of Middlesbrough. Mr Ernest Meek took no large part in public matters beyond having been a member of the Darlington Town Council for a few years, but from that position he retired some time since. His wife and three sons survive him.
"On Sunday 16 Meek, the solicitor died – a sad event He did not behave well to my father & us in our troubles when he should have stood by us being our solicitor, but went over to our creditors & used as far as he could the information he has as our confidential advisor to prejudice us – but still I never disliked the man & believe he was a good solicitor – though no more to be trusted than any other of that vile fraternity – I tried to go to the funeral but missed the connection for Darlington at Middlesbro"
The (unpublished) Diaries of Sir Alfred Edward Pease
From 'Descendants of Moses Neave' on http://www.pennyghael.org.uk/Neave.pdf
James Matthew Meek (1846-1927)
Son of Sir James Meek, York industrialist who was three times Lord Mayor of York. Educated at St Peter's School, York, and Trinity College, Cambridge. For his obituary in the journal of the Cleveland Naturalists' Club cf here
South Bank Express, 29 October 1927Tees-side Solicitor's DeathMr James M Meek, Middlesbrough's veteran solicitor, died at his home in Nelson Terrace, Redcar, on Sunday, aged 81 years. For some time he had been in failing health, but travelled between his home and Middlesbrough almost to the end. On Thursday, last week, he had a seizure at his office, and was taken home in a critical condition.
Mr Meek was a son of the late Sir James Meek, a former Lord Mayor of York. He was educated at Cambridge University, gaining the degree of Master of Arts, and adopting law as a career, was admitted as a solicitor as long ago as 1872. He first practised in Darlington, but 51 years ago he moved to Middlesbrough and became associated with two other partners in the firm of Messrs Lucas, Hutchinson and Meek. At the time of his last illness he was the oldest practising solicitor on Tees-side. The firm which he first joined continued in existence until 1919, when the old partnership was dissolved, and Mr Meek, with Major T D H Stubbs and Mr George W Barnley formed a fresh partnership under the style of Meek, Stubbs & Barnley.
The deceased took an active interest in the affairs of Redcar, though not municipally. He was secretary for the Governors of the Sir William Turner School, Coatham, for a long period, a leading member of the Redcar Literary Institute, and prominent in the affairs of Redcar Parish Church. He was secretary of the Lifeboat Association branch for 37 years, and had been a Freemason since 1868. He was a D.P.G.M. of Mark Masonry for the North and East Ridings of Yorkshire. The deceased gentleman, who leaves four daughters, was interred at Coatham on Wednesday, there being a large attendance. Flags on various buildings in the town were flown at half-mast.
Francis Thomas Steavenson (1837-1897)
Son of Darlington solicitor Addison Thomas Steavenson, who came to Darlington from Berwick. Mayor of Darlington, Town Clerk of Darlington
Northern Guardian (Hartlepool), 10 September 1897The illness from which Mr F T Steavenson, the Town Clerk of Darlington, has been suffering, terminated fatally yesterday afternoon. Deceased, who was 60 years of age, was admitted a solicitor in 1861, and appointed Town Clerk in 1886. He previously sat on the Town Council, and was Mayor in 1883.Northern Echo, 10 September 1897By the lamented death of Mr F T Steavenson yesterday, just six days after a surgical operation which afforded the only chance of prolonging his life, Darlington loses one of its foremost citizens and one who for nearly a dozen years has been more closely identified with the municipal and educational life of the borough than any other person now living.
In regard to the education of the town Mr Steavenson has been the legal adviser and clerk to the School Board from its earliest foundation, and since 1878 he had given ten years to the service of the town in the Council Chamber, and had acted for over eleven as their legal adviser also. His uniform courtesy and kindly consideration to all who found it necessary to approach him in either of his public capacities was well known and greatly appreciated, and his obsequies – which are to take place on Monday morning – will be the occasion for hundreds of his sympathising fellow-townspeople to pay a last tribute to his worth.
George William Wynne Barnley (1883-1960)
Born in Middlesbrough, the son of George Edward Barnley. Awarded the Military Cross in 1918
Edinburgh Gazette, 26 September 1918
Capt. (A./Maj.) George William Wynne Barnley, M.C., R.G.A.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in command of his battery. By his untiring energy and skilful arrangements the battery occupied many positions during the retreat, and was brought out of very difficult situations without the loss of guns, stores or transport. It never failed to answer all calls made for maintenance of fire in support of infantry.
(M.C. gazetted 3rd June, 1918)
This story was told with great affection by those who knew him:
George Barnley suffered from a slight stammer. On one occasion he led his men forward with the cry, "F-f-follow m-me, men!" and disappeared into a water-filled crater, from where he could be heard to shout, "D-don't b-bloody well f-follow me here!"
IX Corps Heavy Artillery5th April 1919Dear Major Barnley,I wish to express my thanks to you personally for all the help you have given me during the past two years.When I look back upon that time I shall always think most of the fierce fighting and dark days of the German attacks of 1918, illumined by the memory of the North Riding Heavy and some other batteries. The North Riding never wavered, never failed and whilst I know well the gallantry of your men and the devotion of your officers and non-commissioned officers I recognize that in greatest measure the success was due to your leadership and example.I wish you success on your return to civil life. I shall always be glad to hear of yourself and the battery. It would give me great pleasure if some day I might attend a reunion of the old North Riding men in England.Yours very sincerely,
G B Mackenzie
Arthur Percy Whitwell (1873-1958)
Son of William Whitwell, JP, of Overdene, Saltburn, a prominent Quaker and ironmaster. Brother of William Fry Whitwell of Clockwood House, Yarm who succeeded his father as an ironmaster. Arthur died in Surrey.
Son of William Whitwell, JP, of Overdene, Saltburn, a prominent Quaker and ironmaster. Brother of William Fry Whitwell of Clockwood House, Yarm who succeeded his father as an ironmaster. Arthur died in Surrey.
George Frederick ("Fred") Lucas (1879-1957)
Born in Huntingdon, son of a GP. Educated at Lancing and Pembroke College, Cambridge. "His love of sport and the country brought about his retirement from professional life as a solicitor at the comparatively early age of 45. Always a fit and keen athlete in his early years, he obtained prominence as a leading ice hockey player for the London Skating Club and gained the English gold medal for skating." [Obituary in Northamptonshire Evening Telegraph, 15 April 1957].
Daily Gazette for Middlesbrough, 14 February 1912Brilliant Function to-dayAt SaltburnPopular Bride and BridegroomFull list of guests and presentsMuch interest was this afternoon shown by residents of Saltburn in the marriage at the Parish Church of Mr George Frederick Lucas, youngest son of Mr and Mrs Herbert Lucas, of Bosworth House, Huntingdon, and Miss Josephine Walton, the elder daughter of Sir Joseph Walton, Bart., MP, and Lady Walton, of Rushpool Hall, Saltburn.The principals are both well known in the Saltburn district. Mr Lucas is not only a popular member of the legal profession, but he has figured prominently in the local golf and cricket circles, and the bride is a member of a highly-respected Cleveland family, and in recent years has been regularly seen at meets of the Cleveland hounds …
Record of Service of Solicitors & Articled Clerks with His Majesty's Forces, 1914-9
Admitted Aug 1903. Member of Lucas, Hutchinson & Meek, of Darlington. Joined Aug 1914, as Lieut., 4th Batt. Yorkshire Regt., promoted Capt. Aug 1915, transferred to Royal Flying Corps Sept 1916. Once mentioned in Dispatches. Served in France 1915 to 1916. Wounded at Ypres, May 1915.
The records for Cambridge Alumni show that George Frederick Lucas was born 11 February 1879. He was the fourth son of Dr Herbert Lucas of Huntingdon, and attended Lancing College. He was admitted to Pembroke College, Cambridge in Michaelmas Term 1897 and took his degree in 1900. He later practised at Market Harborough, living at The Bury House, Cottingham, Market Harborough. J.P. for Durham, 1925 and Northants., 1933. Joint Master of the Woodland Pytchley Hunt, 1926-30.
A letter has survived among my family's papers from Fred Lucas, who was living at Rose Cottage, Middleton One Row when war broke out, to J M Meek, written just before his departure for France.
7th May 1915Dear Mr Meek,I am afraid I have been so busy & harassed lately that I have broken my vow about the enclosed papers, and done nothing. I am off to France in an hours time, and before going I want to thank you for all you have done during my absence.I hope to return safely, but if God wills otherwise I shall only thank him for all the pleasant things which the earth has given me, not forgetting the association with you at Middlesbro' for the last eleven years.Effie has a power of attorney for all my private affairs and Arthur Whitwell is undertaking my trusts. So with all good wishes to youBelieve me,Ever your affectionately,Frederick Lucas
[Photograph of the original can be seen at Local solicitors and World War One]
Thomas Duncan Henlock Stubbs (1872-1931)
Son of John Richard Stubbs. Educated at Wellington College. His wife was a daughter of Guisborough solicitor Arthur Buchannan and granddaughter of Whitby solicitor John Buchannan
Record of Service of Solicitors & Articled Clerks with His Majesty's Forces, 1914-9
Admitted March 1895. Member of Lucas, Hutchinson & Meek, of Middlesbrough. Mobilised as Major, Northumbrian (North Riding) Royal Garrison Artillery and subsequently with the 189th Heavy Battery, the 32nd Siege Battery, the 509th Siege Battery, and Second in Command of 4th Siege Artillery Brigade, Aldershot. Once mentioned in Dispatches. Awarded the T.D. Served in Belgium April 1915 to July 1916 and April to Oct 1917, and at Home Aug 1914 to April 1915, July 1916 to April 1917, and Oct 1917 to April 1919. Twice invalided home.
Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail, 19 March 1931The death occurred suddenly last night of Major Thomas Duncan Henlock Stubbs, of Red House, Nunthorpe, secretary to Messrs Dorman, Long, and Co., Ltd, Middlesbrough. Mr Stubbs, who was 58 years of age, had not been well for a few days, but no apprehension had been felt. His condition, however, took a serious turn last night, due, it is thought, to heart collapse.
He was a son of the late Mr J Richard Stubbs, who was the Official Receiver at Middlesbrough and Clerk for many years to the Langbaurgh (North) magistrates. After being articled to his father he entered into partnership with him. He succeeded to the clerkship of the Langbaurgh (North) Magistrates, and later joined the firm of Messrs Lucas, Hutchinson, and Meek, solicitors, Darlington, and Middlesbrough.
For many years Mr Stubbs was a member of the Territorial Army. At the outbreak of the war he was in command of the Middlesbrough (North Riding) Heavy Artillery Battery, and proceeded to France with the unit in 1915. He was invalided home the following year, but subsequently returned to France. After the Armistice he became secretary to Messrs Dorman, Long, and Co., a position which he held up to his death.
He leaves a widow, one son – Mr Hugh Stubbs, a solicitor – and a married daughter. His elder son was drowned when HMS Aboukir was sunk during the war.
CLAYHILLS SONS & FEETHAM
1861 Thomas Menzies Clayhills (1857) practising in Darlington as sole principal
1897 James Menzies Clayhills (1895) practising in Darlington with his father Thomas Menzies Clayhills
1920 Arthur Feetham (1903) practising with Thomas Menzies Clayhills and James Menzies Clayhills as Clayhills Son & Feetham
1922 James Menzies Clayhills no longer practising
1932 Thomas Menzies Clayhills no longer practising
1937 Arthur Feetham practising as Clayhills Son & Feetham
1938 Allan Aylmer Luxmoore and Ralph Meredyth Turton (both also of Newby, Robson & Cadle and Fawcett & Faber of Stockton) partners in Clayhills Son & Feetham with Arthur Feetham
(Clayhills Sons & Feetham merged with Lucas & Co in 1954 under the name Clayhills, Lucas & Co, which merged with Jacksons in 1990)
Thomas Menzies Clayhills (Clayhills Henderson) (c1836-1933)
Born in Mainz (Germany), son of an army officer and landowner. His father took the additional name Henderson on inheriting his mother's estate of Hallyards in Perthshire; Thomas inherited the lands of Invergowrie and Hallyards from his brother James. He practised in Darlington, according to newspaper reports [cf Hampshire Telegraph, 31 March 1933] for 72 years, retiring three years before his death at the age of 97.
Dundee Courier, 6 November 1933A business firm with a Dundee connection tomorrow celebrates its 300th anniversary. The firm is that of Thomas Clayhills & Son, Reval, the well-known timber exporters.
The Clayhills family originated in Invergowrie, and migrated via Riga to Reval, where they began business on November 7, 1633. From these ancient times the firm have specialised in foreign trade, both importation and exportation. One of their main associations with this country was in the export of timber, flax and grain.
The barony of Invergowrie was acquired by Robert Blayhills in 1615. A prominent figure in Dundee was Capt Clayhills Henderson, the laird of Invergowrie, who died in 1901.
The estate then passed to his brother, Mr Thomas Clayhills Henderson, a Darlington solicitor. He died early this year, and his heir is Mr Charles D Clayhills Henderson.
James Menzies Clayhills (1871-1921)
Born in Darlington, son of Thomas Menzies Clayhills Henderson. Lived at Woodburn, Darlington; died 2 October 1921 at 19 Victoria-square Newcastle
Arthur Feetham (c1874-1951)
Born at Haughton-le-Skerne, son of John Feetham JP, farmer, of Whinfield Hall, Haughton. President of Haughton cricket club and Darlington rugby club, he died in 1951 at The Gate House, Haughton-le-Skerne
Allan Aylmer Luxmoore (1880-1969)
Born in Durham, son of John George Wilson, a prominent solicitor. He won the Open 100 yards race while at Oxford as his father had done 30 years previously. He took the surname Luxmoore after his marriage to Lucy Luxmoore Dunville Luxmoore as a result of an inheritance in her family.
Magistrates' attempts to prevent his replacement as Clerk were overruled by the Home Secretary:
Shields Daily Gazette, 31 December 1953Mr Allan Aylmer Luxmoore, aged 73, who for the past 11 weeks has been the central figure in the Durham Court Clerk dispute, said farewell to 50 years' court work when he appeared for the last time as Clerk at Durham City Magistrates' Court today.
Yesterday he made his final appearance at Durham County Magistrates' Court where he has been Clerk for 40 years and Deputy Clerk for ten years before that. He has been Clerk to the City Magistrates for about nine months.
He is to be succeeded as from tomorrow by Mr Harold Race, aged 43, a Westgate-in-Weardale solicitor.
Today, Ald. Mrs H H Rushford, chairman of Durham City Justices, said it was a deep feeling of disappointment and perhaps a deeper sense of regret that they had to say goodbye to Mr Luxmoore.
Mr A A Muir, Chief Constable of County Durham, said that in all the years Mr Luxmoore had been a court clerk never once had a decision of the Bench been upset in a higher court. That was a tribute to his ability.
Replying, Mr Luxmoore said many people did not appreciate the work of the police, but he had always found them to be very humane.
Meek, Stubbs & Barnley was the result of mergers between solicitors from Lucas Hutchinson & Meek, Stubbs & Stubbs, Bainbridge & Barnley and finally Thompson Trotter & Gray. It merged with Jacksons in 1990:-
JAMES MATTHEW MEEK
1873 James Matthew Meek (1872) in Darlington in partnership with Francis Thomas Steavenson (1861) as Steavenson & Meek
1877 James Matthew Meek practising in Middlesbrough as partner in Steavenson & Meek
1881 James Matthew Meek practising in Middlesbrough and Coatham as sole principal
1903 James Matthew Meek becomes partner in Lucas, Hutchinson & Meek
1919 Retirement of James Matthew Meek from Lucas, Hutchinson & Meek and commencement óf practice of Meek, Stubbs & Barnley in partnership with George William Wynne Barnley
STUBBS & STUBBS
1846 Thomas Newsam (1826) practising in Middlesbrough
1851 John Brewster (1849) with Henry Belcher in Whitby
1856 John Brewster in Middlesbrough a partner with Thomas Newsam (1826) in firm of Newsam & Brewster
1862 John Richard Stubbs (1860) practising in Middlesbrough as sole principal
1863 John Richard Stubbs partner with John Brewster in firm of Brewster & Stubbs at 28 Bridge Street, Middlesbrough
1876 Partnership not renewed. John Richard Stubbs practising as sole principal. John Brewster continued to practise with his son John Brewster junior
1878 Thomas Hood (1877) practising in Middlesbrough
1883 John Richard Stubbs in partnership with Thomas Hood as Stubbs & Hood at 8 Albert Road Middlesbrough
1884 Thomas Hood not practising in Middlesbrough. John Richard Stubbs practising as Stubbs & Hood
1885 John Richard Stubbs practising as sole principal
1896 Thomas Duncan Henlock Stubbs (1895), son of John Richard Stubbs, in Middlesbrough
1898 Partnership Agreement between John Richard Stubbs & Thomas Duncan Henlock Stubbs
Firms to be known as Stubbs & Stubbs at 8 Albert Road, Middlesbrough.
1906 Partnership dissolved on retirement of John Richard Stubbs
Thomas Duncan Henlock Stubbs continued to practise as sole practitioner
1912 Thomas Duncan Henlock Stubbs joins Lucas, Hutchinson & Meek as partner
1916 Death of John Richard Stubbs
Thomas Newsam (c1806-61)
Son of the Rector of Scruton. May have been related to his partner John Brewster – when his nephew James Newsam, a young chemist's assistant, took prussic acid in 1851, Thomas Newsam and Mr Brewster of Scruton were present at the inquest and named as uncles to the deceased.
In practice in Yarm in 1829 – in a Notice of an auction of Pilmore House, Co Durham in Durham County Advertiser, 6 June 1829, particulars were available from "the office of Thomas Newsam, Solicitor, Yarm." Retired to Bridgetown, Devon, where he died.
John Brewster senior (1824-88)
Born in Whitby, son of a wine merchant
York Herald, 28 September 1888Death of Mr John Brewster, SolicitorWe regret to announce the death of Mr John Brewster, solicitor, late of Middlesbrough. The sad event occurred at his residence at Whitby, on Wednesday, after a long and serious illness. The deceased gentleman was born at Whitby in 1824, and in 1844 was articled to Messrs Wilson and Faber, solicitors, Stockton, being admitted in 1849. He first entered the office of Messrs Richardson and Gutch, of York, and in 1850 went into partnership with the late Mr Henry Belcher at Whitby, where he remained till after Mr Belcher's death in 1854.
He then came to Middlesbrough, and commenced practice, and in the following year went into partnership with the late Mr Newsam. The latter gentleman died in 1860 [correction: 1861], and in 1863 Mr Brewster took into partnership Mr J R Stubbs. In 1876 this partnership was dissolved, and Mr Brewster then took into partnership his eldest son, and continued the business as Brewster and Brewster till 1879, when he retired and went to live at York. Owing to the state of his health, however, he removed to Whitby, his native place, in 1882, where he remained till his death, which occurred after three months' gradual sinking from paralysis. The funeral will take place on Saturday, at Sleights Church, at 12.45, where his father and mother and many of his relatives are buried.
Henry Belcher (1785-1854)
Whitby solicitor and coroner. He died while staying at his sister's in Warwickshire.
Leeds Intelligencer, 25 February 1854It is our mournful duty this week to announce the demise of the above-named highly esteemed and excellent gentleman, which took place, after a short illness, at the residence of his sister, Mrs Farr, of Warwick on Wednesday the 15th inst., in the 60th year of his age.
Mr Belcher was of a highly respectable Warwickshire family, and was born at Manchester in 1785. He was brought up to the law, of which profession he was an ornament, and practised at Whitby upwards of 40 years, during which period he endeared himself to all ranks, by the urbanity of his manners, the benevolence of his disposition, and the untiring interest he displayed in promoting and advancing any object tending to improve the religious, moral, and intellectual welfare of his fellow-townsmen.
It is rarely such variety of talent is so happily blended as in the character of this highly gifted individual, who with equal ease discharged the duties of president or chairman of the various scientific societies with which he was connected, or arranged the minor details of the schools to which he was ever a liberal contributor both with his purse and, what is of far greater value, personal exertion; advancing the interests of the Church, of which he was a devout and consistent member, formed one of his chief pleasures. Through Mr Belcher's unwearied exertions and munificence the Church of St Matthew's, Grosmont, with its school, was erected, and the former endowed, with a glebe, and parsonage in course of erection; his private charities were unbounded, and in him the widow and orphan have lost a sympathizing friend. He truly fulfilled every relative duty as son, brother, friend, and citizen.
When the unexpected announcement of Mr Belcher's death reached Whitby it caused an universal sorrow, and on the day of his interment (which took place at Warwick) the shops throughout the town were closed, a muffled peal tolled mournfully from the tower of St Mary's, all the churches were hung with black, and a crowded congregation of rich and poor assembled in the church of St John to a special service and sermon, preached by the Rev James Davison from Job 11th and 10th, "If he cut off, and shut up, or gather together, then who can hinder him."
At Grosmont the same deep sympathy prevailed, and a full service and sermon, by the Rev the Incumbent of Whitby, from Heb 11th and 4th, "He being dead yet speaketh," improved the solemn occasion, and was listened to by a numerous and attentive congregation, who, along with all acquainted with the deceased, will ever hold him in affectionate and grateful remembrance.
John Richard Stubbs (1838-1916)
Born in Boroughbridge, son of a wine merchant and grocer. Educated at Giggleswick. Came to Middlesbrough in February 1861. His wife was a cousin of ironmaster Thomas Vaughan's wife Kate. His diaries, family papers and ledgers from the family business at Boroughbridge are deposited at the North Yorkshire County Record Office. This blog draws heavily on his papers. See for example A Boroughbridge Boyhood in the 1850s: Introducing John Stubbs. Photographs and transcriptions of his diaries can be found on this blog, starting in posts made in 2014.
1903 Contemporary Biographies of the North & East Ridings of Yorkshire
John Richard Stubbs, J.P., Park End, Ormesby, near Middlesbrough; son of Thomas and Mary Stubbs (née Henlock); born at Boroughbridge, October 2nd 1838; educated at Giggleswick. Solicitor; Notary Public; Commissioner for Oaths; Clerk to the Justices for the Division of Langbaurgh North; Official Receiver in Bankruptcy for the Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees, and Northallerton Districts; Justice of the Peace for the borough of Middlesbrough. Married, April 13th 1871 at Helensburgh, N.B. [North Britain], Elizabeth Grace Ellis, daughter of Duncan Macfarlane.
On retirement in 1908 he gave his law library to Middlesbrough Town Council. He died in 1916, two years after the loss in September 1914 of his eldest grandson, a midshipman on HMS Aboukir. Alfred Pease of Pinchinthorpe Hall wrote to John's son Thomas Duncan Henlock Stubbs:
"… When a father dies no matter what his age it makes a gap in the family that is never filled again and in your case I am certain the loss will be deeply felt, for few men by their qualities compare with your father. In the days when I constantly met him I learnt his worth and held him in honour and I may say too in affection – a most just, kind, gentleman …" [family papers]
John Brewster junior (1852-83)
Son of John Brewster senior. Died of heart disease leaving a wife and two children
Daily Gazette for Middlesbrough, 20 April 1883Sudden Death of Mr John Brewster, of MiddlesbroughIt is with sincere regret that we have to record the painfully sudden death of Mr John Brewster, solicitor, of Middlesbrough. Early this (Friday) morning the deceased gentleman, who was only in his twenty-ninth year, rose early at his residence, Grange-road, to proceed to Leeds, where he had professional business at the Assizes. Whilst dressing he became alarmingly ill, and fell to the floor. Dr Veitch, his next-door neighbour, was called in, and he perceiving the serious nature of the case, sent for Dr Longbotham …
Thomas Hood (c1856- )
Son of a Land Agent, born in Middlesbrough. Educated at Gainford Academy. He lived in Coatham with his widowed mother and sister. His partnership with John Richard Stubbs was short-lived. Stubbs' diaries for this period mostly record family and leisure events, but he made one note which explains the ending of the partnership:
John Richard Stubbs' diary for Monday 5 November 1883... Found out Mr Hood had not accounted for lots of sums he had received ...
Some letters and accounts survive from November 1883 written as John Richard Stubbs sought to ascertain an accurate picture of the financial position. I cannot discover what happened to Thomas Hood after this date. He left his Admission Certificate at the office, where it remained until Meek, Stubbs & Barnley amalgamated with Jacksons. When his mother died in 1909, her executor was her son-in-law Alfred Henry Sill, solicitor in Redcar.
BAINBRIDGE & BARNLEY
1858 Robert Gill (1830) practising in Middlesbrough
1861 George Bainbridge (1860) practising in Middlesbrough
1863 Robert Gill and George Bainbridge practising as Gill & Bainbridge
1868 Partnership dissolved. Robert Gill and George Bainbridge continue in separate practices
1878 George Bainbridge in practice with George Edward Barnley (1877) as Bainbridge & Barnley at 24 Albert Road, Middlesbrough
1879 George Bainbridge became the first full-time Town Clerk of the Borough of Middlesbrough
1902 Retirement of George Bainbridge as Town Clerk and from Bainbridge & Barnley
1903 George Edward Barnley practising as sole principal in Bainbridge & Barnley
1906 George William Wynne Barnley (1905), son of George Edward Barnley, practising in Middlesbrough
1912 Death of George Edward Barnley
1913 George William Wynne Barnley practising as sole practitioner in Middlesbrough
1919 Acquisition by George William Wynne Barnley of share of Thomas Duncan Henlock Stubbs in Lucas, Hutchinson & Meek practice in Middlesbrough which continued as Meek, Stubbs & Barnley, the partners being James Matthew Meek and George William Wynne Barnley
Robert Gill (c1808-93)
Born in Knaresborough, he had offices in Knaresborough and Middlesbrough. He lived for a time in Saltburn.
Knaresborough Post, 7 January 1882Mr Robert Gill, solicitor, of Middlesbro' and Saltburn, has filed a petition for liquidation in the Middlesbro' County Court. Mr Gill had an extensive practice, and his liabilities are estimated at £50,000, but it is stated that nearly the whole of the creditors are fully secured. For many years past Mr Gill has advanced large sums of money on the security of house property in the Cleveland district, and during the protracted depression this class of property has considerably depreciated in value, many of the houses being unoccupied for a long time. Until quite recently Mr Gill was solicitor to the Middlesbro', Redcar, Saltburn, and Cleveland District Building Society.
George Bainbridge (c1830-1910)
Born in Barnard Castle, a Wesleyan Methodist and son of a shoemaker. (Interestingly, his partner George Edward Barnley was a Wesleyan Methodist whose father was the son of a bootmaker.)
Town Clerk of Middlesbrough for 26 years and for many years Clerk to the Tees Port Sanitary Authority. Buried in the Old Cemetery.
Hull Daily Mail, 9 May 1910Mr George Bainbridge, ex-Town Clerk of Middlesbrough, died on Saturday at his residence, Southfield-road, Middlesbrough, after a long illness
George Edward Barnley (1849-1912)
Born in Teignmouth, Devon, the son of Teignmouth's Wesleyan minister. George Edward Barnley's father, the son of a bootmaker, served as a missionary in the Hudson Bay Company before becoming a minister. G E Barnley's obituary states that he was "the oldest practising solicitor" in Middlesbrough; he was 62.
He was admitted as a solicitor at the age of 28. He came to Middlesbrough, according to his obituary (below), in 1870 from Norwich. Among my father's notes there is a photocopy of a testimonial to George Edward Barnley, written by his employer Isaac Bugg Coaks of Bank Plain, Norwich on 12 October 1871:
Dear SirI have the greatest possible pleasure in bearing testimony to your abilities, and the satisfactory way in which discharged your duties as one of my Managing Clerks.I shall at all times be glad to hear of your success, feeling that if you continue to apply yourself to work as you did when you were with me, that you will deserve it.Yours truly,I B Coaks[Isaac Bugg Coaks]
Stockton Herald, South Durham & Cleveland Advertiser, 23 March 1912Early on Saturday morning there passed away at his residence in Danby, Mr George Barnley, a citizen of the borough who for many years has been prominently connected with the public life of Middlesbrough.
The deceased gentleman, who was the oldest practising solicitor in the town, being in his 63rd year at the time of his death, has been in failing health of late years, and as a consequence has not taken active part in his business. For health consideration, too, he had been living at Danby. Up to last Monday week, Mr Barnley, though, of course, not robust, was able to get about, but later he was confined to his rooms, and on Monday he underwent a serious operation for an internal trouble, from which he never rallied.
Mr Barnley was well-known and respected in many circles, and the news of his death will be received with deep regret by his numerous friends. The deceased gentleman leaves a widow, three sons, and two married daughters.
Mr George Barnley was born in 1849, and educated at Woodhouse Grove School [10 miles from Leeds, founded for the sons of Wesleyan ministers]. School days over, he entered the legal profession, and after gaining practical experience at Yarmouth and Norwich came to Middlesbrough in 1870 to join Mr George Bainbridge. When the latter gentleman was appointed Town Clerk in 1877, Mr Barnley assisted him in his public work, and assumed the control of the private practice, with which he was connected up to the time of his death. Recently, however, his eldest son, Mr George Barnley, jun., has taken a very prominent part in the business. In the Police Court Mr Barnley was a very familiar figure. As an eloquent advocate he fought and won many stiff battles for his clients in the local courts, and his intimate knowledge of the Tees-side by-laws and Municipal Acts made him a valuable asset to the Imperial Tramway Company, whose legal representative he was.
In politics Mr Barnley was an ardent Liberal, and as a subscriber to all local charitable and philanthropic objects his liberality was well-known.
MEEK STUBBS & BARNLEY
1927 Death of James Matthew Meek
1928 Acquisition by Hugh Macfarlane Stubbs of share of James Matthew Meek in Meek, Stubbs & Barnley
(In 1969 Meek, Stubbs & Barnley acquired the practice of Thompson, Trotter & Gray)
THOMPSON, TROTTER & GRAY
1866 Simon Frederick Thompson (1884) practising in Middlesbrough as sole practitioner
1927 Jack Trotter (1926) practising in Middlesbrough
1928 Simon Frederick Thompson and Jack Trotter practising as Thompson & Trotter
1928 Death of Simon Frederick Thompson
1931 Jack Trotter and Randolph Vivian Carter Gray (1928) practising as Thompson, Trotter & Gray
1935 Randolph Vivian Carter Gray ceased to practise as a solicitor. Jack Trotter continued to practise as sole principal of Thompson, Trotter & Gray
Simon Frederick Thompson (1862-1928)
Son of Wesleyan Methodist parents, his father a Middlesbrough ironworks manager.
Cleveland Standard, 15 September 1928Mr Simon F Thompson, a well-known Middlesbrough solicitor, has died at his home, Cleveland Villa, Grove Hill, at the age of 66. He had been in failing health for some time. Mr Thompson, who was the son of the late Mr John Thompson, manager of Messrs Bell Bros' Ironworks, Port Clarence, served his articles with the late Mr George Barnley, of Middlesbrough, and went into business in Albert Road, Middlesbrough, in 1884. For a period he was a member of the Middlesbrough Town Council. He was a Freemason, and for a long time had been charity representative to the Ferrum Lodge, Middlesbrough. He was for many years closely connected with the Middlesbrough Police Court Mission, and had been secretary since 1922. He was a man of most kindly disposition.
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