Edward Cockrem and the Durnford Sisters Kit Batten December 2022
3 Edward Cockrem and the Durnford Sisters Monograph by Kit Batten Including: List of works published by Edward Cockrem List of prints published by Edward Croydon December 2022
4 Edward Cockrem And the Durnford Sisters First Edition This Edition published privately in 2022. Copyright © 2022 Kit Batten. A copy of this book has been lodged with Torquay Public Library. Reference copies are available at Devon Archives and Heritage Centre, Exeter And at Plymouth Central Library. An updated version of this monograph can be found on-line at: https://edward-cockrem-torquay-life-and-works.blogspot.com/ Please note that the same copyright rules apply to the on-line version, i.e., all images remain the property of the legal owner and cannot be used in any way without conforming to the standard rules and regulations concerning attribution of the same copyright. For a full list of Kit Batten´s articles listed on-line go to: https://welcome-to-kits-blog.blogspot.com/2021/12/blog-post.html The moral right of Kit Batten to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by him in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means without the prior permission of the copyright holder. Any illustrations used in this, or in the on-line version (https://edward-cockrem-torquay-life-andworks.blogspot.com/), may not be reproduced without the explicit consent of the copyright holder. A list of sources for all illustrations will be found at the back of this work.
5 Edward Cockrem and the Durnford Sisters Contents Introduction Chapter I. 9 Edward Cockrem: his life and publishing output Chapter II. 25 The Alphington Ponies: the Durnford Sisters Chapter III. 41 The Strand Torquay: the main thoroughfare in the mid1800s Chapter IV. 55 Croydon, Elliott and Ardley: and the Durnford Sisters Appendix I. 71 Works published by Edward Cockrem 1829 – 1873 Appendix II. 87 Prints published by Edward Croydon 1817 – 1860 Source of Illustrations 105
7 Introduction Edward Cockrem and the Durnford Sisters I was born and brought up in Torquay and am interested in its History. I came across Edward Cockrem´s name in connection with two guide books to Torquay and a handful of maps which he commissioned while carrying out research in the 1990s; but at that time, I was able to find out very little about the man himself. However, a recent find of a print at an auction house in Pforzheim, Germany (I live in Stuttgart, only 25 Km away) resparked my interest in him. Consequently, I came across an interesting story of Torquay in the 1840s and also had to rewrite my entries in Tourist Maps of Devon. 1
8 The print that I purchased shows two ladies in similar attire walking past Edward Cockrem´s book shop and Directory Office on the Strand, Torquay. My first thought was, “What a strange picture!” My second was to find out more about both the women portrayed and more about Edward Cockrem. I knew from my research in the 1990s that Edward Cockrem was a printer and publisher. The first work of his that I had encountered at that time was a map of the parishes in the vicinity of Torquay. This was a rather simple sketch map included in a guide book written by a local author, Octavian Blewitt, and published by Cockrem in 1832. A further circular panorama map followed in 1841, and is the only map of its kind I have discovered so far. Highly detailed maps followed in subsequent years with several showing “Being a Companion to the Torquay Directory”. This was a local newspaper started by Cockrem in 1839. The print of the two ladies is titled simply “Torquay”, but it clearly shows the shop front at 10, the Strand, in Torquay, the offices of the newspaper. I was intrigued as to why the publisher of a newspaper would have such a print drawn (by R P Yeo) and engraved (by P Gauci of London) and whether there was any significance in the choice of subjects. Further research and another chance find encouraged me to look at both Cockrem and the ladies in more detail. This monograph is an attempt to bring both together. As it transpired: Cockrem was not the only publisher to distribute views of the sisters in the picture; and he produced far more work than I had expected.
9 Chapter I Edward Cockrem: his life and publishing output According to the very impressive website “Exeter Working Papers in Book History” 2 and its various links, Edward Cockrem was only active in Torquay as a printer and publisher between 1830 and 1856. Entering Cockrem on the South West Heritage Trust web catalogue gains 21 hits, with none for Edward3 ; trying the Local Studies Catalogue produces four hits for Cockrem´s Torquay Guide (see below) and one print; persevering you might access the Devon imprints pages and find 17 works (with a further 4 later editions)4 . Browsing the newspaper archives also turns up surprisingly little about the man. In common with many printers of the time he had a variety of different strings to his bow and advertised himself as bookseller, stationer, music seller as well as offering reading rooms from his premises at No. 10, the Strand, Torquay, and even providing premises for travelling dentists to see patients. 5 Torquay from the mid-1800s was full of small booksellers and fancy goods shops selling all manner of items to locals and tourists alike and the two most successful were probably Edward Cockrem and his neighbour Edward Croydon. But Cockrem remained the more important figure for many years, providing Torquay with a publisher of minority interest books and issuing an independent newspaper/directory to residents and tourists alike from as early as 1829 until his death in 1872. Edward was the son of John Cockrem, yeoman of Washbourne, and brother of John Cockrem, also a yeoman, of Brixton who married Susanna Lindon of Yealmpton in 18426 . We know that Edward had been apprenticed to John Hannaford of Totnes (fl. 1823-1848) before opening a business in Torquay.7 There is some evidence to indicate that Cockrem might have been with Henry Cole about the time the latter retired or died. There is one advert for the company of Cole and Cockrem from the Exeter Flying Post in 1829. Henry Cole was active from 1823-1830 as printer and bookseller at the Old Quay (registered in a directory in 1823) but had moved to Lawrence Place by 1830.8 It could be that Cockrem moved to Torquay and began working with/for Cole. There is evidence that he was already a Torquay resident in 1828, publishing on his own account in 1829, and that he married in 1830.
10 Fig. 1.1: G Townsend´s view of Torquay Harbour for Besley circa 1858. Early Publications The first works generally listed under Edward Cockrem´s name are associated with a local author: Octavian Blewitt wrote a short booklet The Panorama of Torquay in 1830 and although he did not give his name to it, it was Printed and Published for the Author, by Edward Cockrem. In the same year, Blewitt had a book of poetry published: The Sirens, A Holiday Poem was written when Blewitt was 17 and read out to the school. This was Printed for Private Circulation by Cockrem.9 Both appeared in 1830, the year any partnership with Cole seems to have ceased. Octavian Blewitt was born in London but went to school in Plymouth. His small booklet of 84 pages (plus a short addenda) must have sparked interest – a pirated edition was published by another Torquay publisher the same year10 – and in 1832 a Second Edition appeared, now under his name and published by Simpkin and Marshall in London and by Cockrem in Torquay. Blewitt subsequently travelled extensively and later in his life he wrote guides on Central Italy, the East and Southern Italy for John Murray. He was elected Secretary to the Royal Literary Fund in 1839, a post he kept until his death. The reason he chose a little-known Torquay printer for his first publications probably has something to do with their comparative youth. Edward Cockrem may have started up even earlier than commonly supposed. At least two sources state that Cockrem was in Torquay in 1828 and Sonnets by the author of Specimens of Sonnets from the Most Celebrated Italian Poets was
11 published in Torquay, printed for private circulation by Edward Cockrem in 182911; and The anchor of the soul: "Jesus, the author and finisher of faith" by Charles Troward was to be had gratis at L B (Leonard Benton) Seeley & Sons, London; Cockrem, printer, Torquay, Devon, and of the author, Paington, Devon (also 1829). Furthermore, William Pengelly, speaking to the Devonshire Association in 1881 suggested that, if not the first printer in Torquay, Cockrem was one of the earliest, or the first to become successful. It was certain, however, that Mr. Cockrem had established a printing office at Torquay before 1834, and probably as early as 1828. 12 Up until this time most printing for the rapidly expanding town had been undertaken by Bowden of Paignton. At first glance, Cockrem´s output seems to be rather limited. The 17 works listed under The Devon Book Trade: imprints Torquay are published between 1830 and 1873. Only one guide book is in the Devon Archive list together with one print (by Rock & Co.). Somers Cocks13 also has few illustrations attributed to Cockrem in his Devon Topographical Prints and only lists three works. When Octavian Blewitt revised his Panorama of Torquay, it included a Frontispiece, pre-title illustration, a small map and one further wood engraving (Fig. 1.1) all bearing Cockrem´s imprint. Two further books with prints bear Cockrem´s name; A Guide to Torquay published together with W Elliott (1841); and Scenery of Torquay and Babbicombe by Dibdin and Vivian, also in 1841 but published by Cockrem, Elliott and Barrett in Torquay (and R Ackermann in London, see Fig. 1.2). In addition, early issues of The Guide to Torquay and Neighbourhood included views by Rock & Co., and one or two further views have been seen.14 Fig. 1.2: View of Torquay from Dibdin & Vivian.15
12 However, further research has uncovered a wealth of smaller, local publications. Although Cockrem is reported to have established an office together with William Elliott in 183416 this may have been an idea of cooperation which did not materialise. William Pengelly in 1881 in a presentation to the Devonshire Association is reported as saying: It was often thought that the earliest professional printers in Torquay were Messrs. Cockrem, and Elliott, who established an office there about 1834. … But Mr. Elliott had informed him that he never was in partnership with Mr. Cockrem either as a printer or in any other business; that he began business at Torquay as bookseller, stationer, and librarian, in 1837 and not as a printer before 1839.17 Be that as it may, all works published by Cockrem before 1841 were under his own imprint. From the beginning Edward Cockrem seems to have been busy printing and publishing small booklets for, more or less, private or limited circulation. The on-line catalogue (JISC) lists some 100 entries for Cockrem (including multiple entries) and combining this with other sources we are aware of at least twenty-three publications before 1841. 18 These include Blewitt´s Panorama (probably the most successful work during this period) and the vast majority having an ecclesiastical bias: Occasional thoughts by the Rev. James Jonge (two editions); Church and state: two letters by Salma; or Christian hymns, Printed for the Christian Church at Tor being good examples. However, the most fascinating of books was published by Cockrem for its author, Mary Wyatt, during this period [1834-1840]: her Algae Danmonienses, or Dried Specimens of Marine Plants, principally collected in Devonshire (Fig. 1.3). A copy sold at Christie´s in 1994 comprised 5 volumes including a supplement. An amazing 544 specimens representing 236 species of seaweed, were either mounted on paper sheets pasted to the page or attached to pages by means of paper strips. Mary Wyatt had worked in the household of Amelia Griffiths, who was perhaps the world´s leading authority on seaweeds in her day. Encouraged by the famous botanist William Harvey, a friend and correspondent of Griffiths, Wyatt continued to collect her seaweeds and shells and ultimately opened a shop in Torquay where she sold shells, madrepores and pressed plants.19
13 Fig. 1.3: Page of seaweed from Mary Wyatt´s book.20 I include Christie´s description as posted on the internet (1994) as it seems petty to interfere with it: Only one copy appears in British auction records for this century (…). …. Mary Wyatt was a "dealer in shells" in Torquay, and the sole supplier of the work, which originally cost £1 for each volume. Each of the first four volumes contains approximately 50 different species, and the supplement, which includes examples from the coast of Cornwall, as well as from Devonshire, contains a further 36 species. The printed labels give each specimen's name and number, the classification from Hooker's British Flora and from other works on British algae, as well as a brief description of the habitat and locality where the seaweed is found, and an indication of its rarity. Several of those included at the end of volume IV are tentatively described as new species; many more are described as "rare", "very rare" or "extremely rare" and it is perhaps reasonable to suppose that, with the increase of pollution in the area, some of these species are now extinct.
14 Newspaper Publisher and Edward Vivian The Torquay and Tor Directory was set up in 1839 or 1840 (Fig. 1.4) with Cockrem as printer, publisher and (part) proprietor. 21 According to the obituary in the Western Times: The first number was issued in 1839, and was a small four-page phamplet (sic) printed monthly. 22 According to White23 this could claim to be Torquay´s oldest newspaper. It first appeared as four pages (crown octavo) containing a list of visitors and residents. The early days were difficult due to the regulations at the time: in those days advertisements were taxed to the extent of half a crown each, and on each copy of a newspaper printed there was a fourpenny stamp. 24 In November 1845 the fortnightly paper was expanded to eight pages (No. 157 now 28 cm high)25 but at the beginning of 1846 (Jan. 16th, No. 162) the page size was increased to 32.5 cm (and stamp duty now added). The list of guests and residents (in downtown Torquay only) typically occupied two pages with an alphabetical list added in July the same year. The newspaper became weekly with the issue of the first Supplement on August 7th 1846 (No. 176). By 1853 at the latest a Plan of the Town was being offered “Being a Companion to the Torquay Directory”. 26 There was also a limited amount of news, qualifying it as a newspaper: although a lot of the “news” was articles on the local climate, Kent´s Cavern finds and numerous “letters” from erudite readers (e.g., Publius and Anti-Humbug) who then succeeded in having long-winded arguments. Subsequent enlargements saw it become the largest newspaper in the county by the time of Cockrem´s death (1872), when it was transferred to a company. White adds: In politics, both imperial and local, the Directory is neutral, but the utmost latitude is permitted to correspondents. Meanwhile, the Torquay Chronicle was established by William Elliott at No. 1 Vaughan Parade in 1849. In 1856 Kelly had two entries for newspapers: William Elliott issued the Torquay Chronicle & General Directory (Tuesday), 2 Lawrence Place; and Edward Cockrem the Torquay Directory & South Devon Journal, (Wednesday), 10 Strand. It is worth mentioning a person who was, without doubt, an influential character behind the newspaper at the time.27 Edward Vivian was born April 2nd, 1808, at Bushey, in Hertfordshire and soon after his father´s death he went to Oxford, and obtained a B.A. and an M.A. Vivian and others purchased the cutter Paul Pry and they sailed the coasts of North and South Devon. Vivian visited Torquay at a time when it was just emerging from a fishing village into a watering-place. Captivated, he later moved to Torquay and resided at Hampton House, St. Marychurch, the residence of his brother-in-law, Mr. C. K. Sievewright. In 1832, Captain W. Vivian (his brother), and William Kitson established the Torquay Bank, and Vivian joined it soon after. In 1842, Vivian built his later home, Woodfield, and began to establish a collection of sub-tropical plants (the Torbay Horticultural
15 Society was formed and largely promoted by Vivian). He was one of the founders of the Torquay Natural History Society and held the office of Treasurer of the Society for many years. He was an active supporter of the exploration of Kents Cavern and presented numerous papers and reports. Vivian became connected with the Torquay Directory in 1846, and remained its editor until the 1890s, i.e., long after Cockrem´s death. One of the few illustrated books published by Cockrem was Thomas C Dibdin and Edward Vivian´s Scenery of Torquay and Babbicombe. The illustrations were partly by Edward Vivian. He was a talented artist and many of his prints were published by R Ackerman of London. It is reported that he exhibited at many art exhibitions held in Torquay, despite being colour blind! He was also a gifted photographer. He was a driving force behind the foundation of the School of Art in Torquay. Vivian was a prolific writer and the list of his papers and articles included in his obituary is long, and represents a broad range of interests. It is very probably that he was behind many of the articles written for the Torquay Directory besides those on climate which bore his name. Furthermore, he could have been the pen behind a large number of readers´ letters. He died at his residence, at Woodfield, on March 30th, 1893, age 85. Fig. 1.4a: The Torquay and Tor Directory for October 7th 1842.28
16 Fig. 1.4b: The Torquay and Tor Directory for November 7th 1845. 29
17 Illustrated Works The year 1841 saw the publication of two illustrated works, both issued in collaboration with others. Cockrem and Elliott may have registered a business in 1834 but it was not until now that a Guide to Torquay appeared under their imprint: this included nine small but attractive circular vignette illustrations (Fig. 1.5) and a 360° Panorama. This may have been more a joint venture as the plates could have been a financial risk for both. However, the more impressive of the two works must have been Thomas C Dibdin and Edward Vivian´s Scenery of Torquay and Babbicombe already mentioned. This contained a set of five lithographs by W Gauci after T C Dibdin and E Vivian and was published by Cockrem, Elliott and Barrett in Torquay with a well-known publisher of views in London, R Ackermann. Each print was hand-coloured and measured nearly 20 x 30 cm. Barrett was most certainly a relative of Cockrem; Walter Barrett aged 19 is listed in the 1871 census, living with Mary Cockrem (daughter) at the Strand premises and working as assistant bookseller. Fig. 1.5: Title page to A Guide to Torquay with typical illustration. It must have been at about this time that the unusual print appeared showing two ladies, known throughout the town as the Durnford Sisters, or as the Alphington Ponies. This large print, 27 x 32 cm (without titles), shows the two sisters passing a
18 shop: that of Edward Cockrem. In 1908 the Rev. Sabine Baring Gould would provide details of these fascinating women (see Chapter II. The Alphington Ponies). The Devon Book Trades blogspot lists only a small number of single prints besides those listed in the illustrated works already discussed: these are a view of the Strand by C Clampet and an East View of Torquay by J Pitts, c1830; and c1842, a view of Bishopstowe, the summer residence of the Bishop of Exeter, by and after G Rowe.30 Cockrem would additionally have distributed views by Rock & Co., Kershaw, J & F Harwood, J & S etc., including his own imprint on print or book cover. One interesting print of his is to be found in Drives in and about Torquay, a Victorian scrapbook. 31 In 1863 H. M. A. – Harriette Matilda Armytage, the daughter of Sir George Armytage – convalesced in Torquay and compiled a scrapbook in which she pasted views she had cut out of other works and recorded her various excursions. This scrapbook not only includes two of Cockrem´s maps but also a view of The River Teign, from Brecknock Hill. This is a Rock & Co., London, vignette (No. 2696, 10th March 1855) but with additional imprint: Published by E. Cockrem, Newton Abbot & Torquay. There is no further record of Newton Abbot being included in a Cockrem imprint. In August 1850 the first Public Libraries Act gave powers to local councils of populations of over 10,000 to set up libraries, museums and art galleries to be financed by the product of a halfpenny rate (1855 raised to one penny). At that time there were only two Circulating Libraries and Reading Rooms in Torquay, Edward Cockrem at 10, The Strand and Robert Wreford at 8, Braddons Row. However, these were available only to the well-to-do. Additionally, members of the Torquay Natural History Society had the use of the Society’s reference library.32 Later years Edward Cockram (sic) is listed as living in Paignton in Robson´s Directory of 1839 - where his wife ran a boarding school33 but Edward must have remained the owner of the bookseller and stationer business in central Torquay. At some time after 1864 Edward and his wife were living at Oxford Villas in (St.) Efride´s Road, Tor. This appears to be also the school which his wife was running. Mr and Mrs Cockrem, together with Mr E D Cockrem (Edward junior) and Miss H Shepherd were resident there in 1869 (Miss Shepherd had left in 1870). From 1843 to 1856 we again find a wide variety of texts being printed and/or published as well as an advert for an apprentice and Cockrem being an agent for the SPCK. The most significant publication at this time seems to be Sir Culling Eardley´s Some Papers Relative to the state of St Mary Church, near Torquay, which was printed three times in 1850 (see Chapter IV. Croydon, Elliott and Ardley). Sir Culling
19 and Lady Eardley were Torquay visitors occupying Hillsborough House on Braddon´s Hill (1846). The New Torquay Guide by Democritus Tertius (a.k.a. Edmund Carrington) appeared in 1843 but was not successful; and Flowers of the South, a horticultural work by an old collector (Vivian?) would have been a short print run. A frequent contributor to the newspaper was “Vigil”: this was the pseudonym of Henry Cranmer March Phillipps. Many of his “Letters” to the Torquay Directory were subsequently published as separate booklets. In 1873, at the age of 80, Phillipps “threw himself into the sea to rescue a drowning child, and was, at the risk of his life, instrumental in saving hers”.34 He was a sitting magistrate for Torquay (Wellswood) for many years. One unusual, and uncharacteristic, printing assignment was to print a poster / flyer for William Cooke´s Royal Circus. In the late spring of 1848 William Cooke brought his famous troupe of horses to south Devon and events were planned for the last week in May with Dawlish being the location on Saturday 27th May, 1848.35 There were to be stops at Exeter (Tuesday, 30th May), and then a one stop stay in each of Exmouth, Salterton, Sidmouth, Colyton, then Lyme Regis (June 5) and Bridport (June 6). A poster printed by Edward Cockrem advertises the full programme for the Dawlish show which included a large number of the Cooke family and their horses (see illustration in Appendix I). The Western Flying Post or Sherborne and Yeovil Mercury (issue 23 July 1850) carried the announcement of Cockrem´s father´s death: July, 15, At Washborne, near Totnes, Devon, Mr John Cockrem, yeoman, father of Mr Edward Cockrem, bookseller, Torquay. 36 John Cockrem must have been an important person in the district: Devon Archives has a number of apprentice documents relating to him (eight from 1818- 1839). Cockrem was not against cooperating with other local publishers, including his main rivals Croydon and Elliott. The bulk of his output would seem to be religious works of one sort or another, and many of these were published, or sold, by others too. So, for example (all taken from 1850-51), An appeal to my fellow townsmen in Torquay by Culling E. Eardley was sold by Elliott, Cockrem, Croyden, and Wreyford; Some papers relative to the state of the parish of St. Mary Church, near Torquay, also by Eardley, was printed by Edward Cockrem and sold by Cockrem, Elliott and Wreford in Torquay (and in St Marychurch by Mr Tozer, Butcher); and Holy Communion at a Visitation: by the Rev. James Ford was published by several up and down the country and in Torquay by both Cockrem and Croydon. In a case heard at the Petty Sessions Court in February 1851, Cockrem was being pressured to tell the court who had paid for a bill to be inserted into his newspaper
20 alleging the sitting Member of Parliament, George Cary, would not be sitting again at the next election. He seems to have avoided any consequences.37 Probably Cockrem´s biggest success was the publication of Cockrem´s Tourist Guide to Torquay and its Neighbourhood circa 1856 (date of BL copy). A fairly comprehensive and handy guide it was possibly printed up to six times. Various institutions date their copies to 1864, 1865, 1876 and 1878, and when Cockrem´s business was taken over his successor, Westley, also reprinted and published the work (c.1882) in two different formats. This guide book was sometimes illustrated and at least three early copies have vignette engravings by Rock & Co. The guide was published only two years after Edward Croydon published his own Torquay Guide and cannot be a coincidence. From this time until his death in 1872 the typical publication was again a work by a local author printed in a small edition. Thomas Christy Wakefield´s A brief Memoir (29p., 1861); Heart Worship – a sermon preached at St Mary Church (Rev. C F Smith, 16p., 1865); a publication for the Tor Communicant´s Union (56p., 1869); a poem on Berry Pomeroy by Luke M Combes (85p., 1872) all being representative examples. The final work, Jottings at the Dartmoor autumn manoeuvres by H T Mackenzie (16p, 1873) was probably being compiled at the time of his death and was published soon after. Besides the newspaper with its regular directory, which listed visitors and the addresses at which they could be reached, the kind of work which could have brought regular revenues was Twentyfour views of Torquay. A booklet of 24 leaves it was possibly issued circa 1870 with views by the publishers Kershaw and Son of London or J S & Co. (Fig. 1.6). These two companies must have combined to sell blocks of views and local publishers could put (or have printed) a cover with their name and address. The identical set of views has been seen sold by J Harris of Torquay. Certainly, most other printer-publishers and booksellers frequently sold booklets of views for tourists. Similar sets of Rock & Co. views were printed and sold by C Way or by M C Oldrey of 1 Strand who were both selling such a copy about the same time.38
21 Fig. 1.6: Waldon Hill, Torquay, showing the Strand. Kershaw & Son. (RareOldPrints)39 Another steady source of income may have been the various maps that he sold. Cockrem is known to have commissioned at least 5 different maps of Torquay and the surrounding area. His first map was included in the second edition of Blewitt (1832), and a very unusual circular panorama “map” in the guide published jointly with Elliott followed (1841). However, it appears he also had a map to accompany the Torquay Directory which was updated at least three times. The artist and/or printers were almost all local until 1870 when he had two maps commissioned by Stanford´s Geographical Establishment in London.40 Edward Cockrem died on 4 September 1872 in Torquay leaving effects valued at ‘under £9000’. After his death the family maintained the printing and book business for a while, listing it as ‘Cockrem and Co’, but the book side had soon after been taken over by Arthur Westley. The Torquay Directory was taken over and run from at least 1875 by William Winget. He had joined Edward Cockrem after returning to Torquay about 1863: when Edward Vivian formed a company to succeed Cockrem, Winget was made manager of the Torquay Directory, Newspaper and General Printing Co. Ltd.41
22 At the time of his death, his wife was in ill health and he left two sons and four daughters. Two of his daughters, Mary and Jane, both registered as booksellers, were resident at 10, Strand with James Pascoe (a classical tutor residing as lodger) and Jane Langworthy (servant) as early as 1851. In 1866, Mary Cockrem was the only Devon woman to sign the national Women’s Suffrage Petition to Parliament, presented to the House of Commons by John Stuart Mill, MP on 17 July 1866. 42 In 1871 Mary Cockrem was at 10, Strand together with Walter Barrett43 and Maria Barnes (assistant) and Jane Poshbury (servant) but had moved to Montpellier Terrace by 1875. At this time the school had moved to Thornton, in Cleveland Road, and was being run by Mr and Mrs George Cockrem (as Boarding School for Young Ladies). After two years of failing health Edward Cockrem died suddenly after an acute illness. The reports in the papers after his death give some indication as to the sort of person Edward Cockrem had been. Two excerpts from the very sensitive obituary published in the Western Times of Friday, September 13th are worth quoting: Suffice it to say, that he was a man of great probity of character ; of sound practical business habits ; and of generous disposition ; kind employer, and earnest and devout Christian—qualities which have not only assisted to build up the high reputation he has attained, but which have earned for him the respect and esteem of all classes in Torquay. He persistently shunned those local offices to which, it presumed, some little distinction is attached. … It was with reluctance that he was induced to accept the office of a churchwarden at Torre Church, a post which he filled at the time of his death. … The remains of the late Mr. Cockrem were interred on Tuesday in Torre burying ground, The funeral was attended by a very large number of respected inhabitants including several clergymen. Most of the shops in the town were closed, and on board the vessels in the harbour, and at the signal staff the pier flags were hoisted half mast high.
23 Notes to Chapter 1 1 See Batten, Kit; Tourist Maps of Devon; on-line at https://tourist-maps-of-devon.blogspot.com/. Entries on Cockrem and Westley have been updated (August 2022). 2 This excellent site, the work of Ian Maxted, has been used extensively in all my writings. Access the Home page at: https://bookhistory.blogspot.com/. Unfortunately, Devon Heritage have somewhat neglected it. 3 Most of these are for John Cockrem. https://devon-cat.swheritage.org.uk/search/all:all/0_50/all/score_desc/cockrem. 4 At https://bookhistory.blogspot.com/2015/02/devon-imprintstorquay.html 5 Mr L Mosely, for example, at Mr Cockrem´s – Has the honor to announce to patients, and those who may wish to consult him, … every Wednesday. From Torquay and Tor Directory, November 1845. 6 Apparently by consent of the Archbishop of Canterbury as the See of Exeter was vacant at the time. 7 Maxted. 8 Maxted: Registered press 4/7/1833 (DRO Q/S 68). EFP 18/7/1833 1b. See for example, https://bookhistory.blogspot.com/2014/07/devon-book-trades-torquay. In 1833 we find Mrs Peggy Cole as printer with a circulating library (but also Agent for piano sales). 9 Sold by Simon Beattie, and included in his catalogue 2010/09. See http://simonbeattie.co.uk/. 10 This was published by R Luscombe of Newton Abbot, who set up a business in Torquay, but the withdrawal of this pirate edition may have prevented him becoming Torquay´s first publisher. See Pengelly in Torquay Times, 1881. 11 For a list of all Cockrem publications and institutions which hold them see the Appendix. 12 See Torquay Times, and South Devon Advertiser - Friday 29 July 1881. 13 Somers Cocks; Devon Topographical Prints, 1660-1870; Devon Library Services; 1977. 14 Somers Cocks; 1977. See entries S.121 for Blewitt; S152 for Cockrem & Elliott; and S153 for Dibdin and Vivian. 15 Sold at Bonhams, the auctioneers, in 2016. See https://www.bonhams.com/auctions/23199/lot/243/ 16 Maxted: Registered press 4/7/1833 (DRO Q/S 68). EFP 18/7/1833 1b. 17 See Torquay Times, and South Devon Advertiser - Friday 29 July 1881. 18 For a list of all works I have discovered to date (August 2022) see the list at Cockrem´s Published Works. 19 For an account of both women go to https://philipstrange.wordpress.com/. The story is well told as The Queen of Seaweeds – The Story of Amelia Grifffiths, An Early 19TH Century Pioneer of Marine Botany. 20 This illustration from Zucker Art Books: https://zuckerartbooks.com/exhibition/41/exhibition_works/1742 and text from Christie´s on-line catalogue at https://www.christies.com/lot/lot3056475?ldp_breadcrumb=back&intObjectID=3056475&from=salessummary&lid=1. 21 Although Cockrem was the “face” of the company, the enterprise was continued by Vivian when he died, who was also named as part proprietor. 22 Most sources (and advertisements by the paper) quote 1840. However, if Nov 7 1845 saw issue 157, issue 1 could have appeared as early as November 1839 at fortnightly intervals, earlier if the first issues were, in fact, monthly. One source quotes 1st November with no reference to check. 23 J T White; History of Torquay; privately published; printed at the Directory Office; Torquay; 1878. 24 The Western Times, Friday 13th September with obituary for Edward Cockrem. 25 The alteration in the form of the Directory, and the announcement thereof, which happened simultaneously this day fortnight, without any previous sound or note of preparation, have, the Proprietor has every reason to believe, afforded unalloyed satisfaction to its friends and supporters. Torquay and Tor Directory No. 158. 26 See Batten, Kit; 2022; Tourist Maps of Devon; especially entry Cockrem 4. 27 This description is taken from https://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/DEV/Tormoham/Vivian1893. 28 For a complete copy of this directory go to http://www.terry-leaman.co.uk extension /Tiscali/COCKREM.HTM. Terry Leaman´s site is extremely informative for all interested in Torquay. 29 Copy delivered to Hearder´s Family Hotel, presumably for guests.
24 30 Somers Cocks: c1830, numbered 3181 (incorrectly labelled Stand and 3182, both approx. 180 x 260 mm; c1842, 3101 Bishopstowe 200 x 291 mm. 31 See https://etched-on-devons-memory.blogspot.com/2021/05/drives-in-and-about-torquay-volume1.html 32 A History of Torbay Library Services by Lorna Smith (2007); https://www.torbay.gov.uk/media/1836/historylibraryservice.pdf. 33 The 1851 census shows 19 residents with a son, also Edward, the only boy pupil at the school. 34 Westley and Co.´s Tourists´Guide to Torquay (c. 1878), page 15. 35 See Exeter and Plymouth Gazette, Saturday 27th May 1848. Although Dawlish is not mentioned it would have fitted the timetable. 36 At https://www.newspapers.com/clip/103728731/death-of-george-major-junior-11-july/ 37 Exeter Flying Post, 27th February 1851. 38 A number of such books or booklets of views have been uploaded (2022), see https://devon-viewbooks.blogspot.com/. 39 Illustration by kind permission of Mike Jones, RareOldPrints.com. This very impressive site has a large number of Devon prints in good resolution. 40 See Batten, Kit; Tourist Maps of Devon; on-line at https://tourist-maps-of-devon.blogspot.com/. Entries on Cockrem and Westley have been updated (August 2022). 41 See May´s British and Irish Press Guide (p.139) for the year 1875 and the obituary of William Winget in Torquay Times and South Devon Advertiser, 29th February 1924. 42 Mary Caroline – suffragette in https://www.parliament.uk/globalassets/documents/parliamentaryarchives/1866SuffragePetitionNamesWebJune16.pdf. 43 Possibly a relative of the Barrett who also published the Dibdin views in 1841.
25 Chapter II. The Alphington Ponies: the Durnford Sisters The Rev. Sabine Baring-Gould (1834–1924) was a local writer, novelist, antiquarian and folk song collector and one of those clergy of the Victorian era who tried his hand at all things.1 An Anglican priest, he lived at Lew Trenchard in Devon where he had been born. The writer of hymns - most people over 50 can recall some lines from Onward, Christian Soldiers – and westcountry lore, in 1908 he produced an anthology of curious stories connected with the west country, Devon Characters and Strange Events. 2 Fig. 2.1: Lithograph view of the Durnford Sisters for Cockrem The book is available at various on-line sites and the tales can be enjoyed by all.3 However, one of the more interesting stories is that of the Durnford Sisters in Torquay under the title of The Alphington Ponies. I hope I can be forgiven for quoting the story in full, together with the two illustrations which accompanied the story (Figs 2.2 and 2.3).
26 DURING the forties of last century, every visitor to Torquay noticed two young ladies of very singular appearance. Their residence was in one of the two thatched cottages on the left of Tor Abbey Avenue, looking seaward, very near the Torgate of the avenue. Their chief places of promenade were the Strand and Victoria Parade, but they were often seen in other parts of the town. Bad weather was the only thing that kept them from frequenting their usual beat. They were two Misses Durnford, and their costume was peculiar. The style varied only in tone and colour. Their shoes were generally green, but sometimes red. They were by no means bad-looking girls when young, but they were so berouged as to present the appearance of painted dolls. Their brown hair worn in curls was fastened with blue ribbon, and they wore felt or straw hats, usually tall in the crown and curled up at the sides. About their throats they had very broad frilled or lace collars that fell down over their backs and breasts a long way. But in summer their necks were bare, and adorned with chains of coral or bead. Their gowns were short, so short indeed as to display about the ankles a good deal more than was necessary of certain heavily-frilled cotton investitures of their lower limbs. In winter over their gowns were worn check jackets of a "loud" pattern reaching to their knees, and of a different colour from their gowns, and with lace cuffs. They were never seen, winter or summer, without their sunshades. The only variation to the jacket was a gay-coloured shawl crossed over the bosom and tied behind at the waist. The sisters dressed exactly alike, and were so much alike in face as to appear to be twins. They were remarkably good walkers, kept perfectly in step, were always arm in arm, and spoke to no one but each other. They lived with their mother, and kept no servant. All the work of the house was done by the three, so that in the morning they made no appearance in the town; only in the afternoon had they assumed their war-paint, when, about 3 p.m., they sallied forth; but, however highly they rouged and powdered, and however strange was their dress, they carried back home no captured hearts. Indeed, the visitors to Torquay looked upon them with some contempt as not being in society and not dressing in the fashion; only some of the residents felt for them in their solitude some compassion. They were the daughters of a Colonel Durnford, and had lived at Alphington. The mother was of an inferior social rank. They had a brother, a major in the Army, 10th Regiment, who was much annoyed at their singularity of costume, and offered to increase their allowance if they would discontinue it; but this they refused to do.
27 Fig. 2.2: THE MISSES DURNFORD. THE ALPHINGTON PONIES From a Lithograph (from Baring-Gould) When first they came to Torquay, they drove a pair of pretty ponies they had brought with them from Alphington; but their allowance being reduced, and being in straitened circumstances, they had to dispose of ponies and carriage. By an easy transfer the name of Alphington Ponies passed on from the beasts to their former owners.
28 As they were not well off, they occasionally got into debt, and were summoned before the Court of Requests; and could be impertinent even to the judge. On one occasion, when he had made an order for payment, one of them said, "Oh, Mr. Praed, we cannot pay now; but my sister is about to be married to the Duke of Wellington, and then we shall be in funds and be able to pay for all we have had and are likely to want!" Once the two visited a shop and gave an order, but, instead of paying, flourished what appeared to be the half of a £5 note, saying, that when they had received the other half, they would be pleased to call and discharge the debt. But the tradesman was not to be taken in, and declined to execute the order. Indeed, the Torquay shopkeepers were very shy of them, and insisted on the money being handed over the counter before they would serve the ladies with the goods that they required. They made no acquaintances in Torquay or in the neighbourhood, nor did any friends come from a distance to stay with them. They would now and then take a book out of the circulating library, but seemed to have no literary tastes, and no special pursuits. There was a look of intelligence, however, in their eyes, and the expression of their faces was decidedly amiable and pleasing. They received very few letters; those that did arrive probably contained remittances of money, and were eagerly taken in at the door, but there was sometimes a difficulty about finding the money to pay for the postage. It is to be feared that the butcher was obdurate, and that often they had to go without meat. Fish, however, was cheap. A gentleman writes: "Mr. Garrow's house, The Braddons, was on my father's hands to let. One day the gardener, Tosse, came in hot haste to father and complained that the Alphington Ponies kept coming into the grounds and picking the flowers, that when remonstrated with they declared that they were related to the owner, and had permission. 'Well,' said father, 'the next time you see them entering the gate run down and tell me.' In a few days Tosse hastened to say that the ladies were again there. Father hurried up to the grounds, where he found them flower-picking. Without the least ceremony he insisted on their leaving the grounds at once. They began the same story to him of their relationship to the owner, adding thereto, that they were cousins of the Duke of Wellington. 'Come,' said father, 'I can believe one person can go mad to any extent in any direction whatever, but the improbability of two persons going mad in identically the same direction and manner at the same time is a little too much for my credulity. Ladies, I beg you to proceed.' And proceed they did."
29 After some years they moved to Exeter, and took lodgings in St. Sidwell's parish. For a while they continued to dress in the same strange fashion; but they came into some money, and then were able to indulge in trinkets, to which they had always a liking, but which previously they could not afford to purchase. At a large fancy ball, given in Exeter, two young Oxonians dressed up to represent these ladies; they entered the ballroom solemnly, arm in arm, with their parasols spread, paced round the room, and finished their perambulation with a waltz together. This caused much amusement; but several ladies felt that it was not in good taste, and might wound the poor crazy Misses Durnford. This, however, was not the case. So far from being offended at being caricatured, they were vastly pleased, accepting this as the highest flattery. Were not princesses and queens also represented at the ball? Why, then, not they? Fig. 2.3: THE MISSES DURNFORD. THE ALPHINGTON PONIES Lithographed by P. Gauci, Pub. Ed. Cockrem (from Baring-Gould) One public ball they did attend together, at which, amongst others, were Lady Rolle and Mr. Palk, son of the then Sir Lawrence Palk. Owing to their conspicuous attire, they drew on them the attention of Lady Rolle, who
30 challenged Mr. Palk to ask one of the sisters for a dance, and offered him a set of gold and diamond shirt studs if he could prevail on either of them to be his partner. Mr. Palk accepted the challenge, but on asking for a dance was met in each case by the reply, "I never dance except my sister be also dancing." Mr. Palk then gallantly offered to dance with both sisters at once, or in succession. He won and wore the studs. A gentleman writes: "In their early days they made themselves conspicuous by introducing the bloomer arrangement in the nether latitude.4 This, as you may well suppose, was regarded as a scandal; but these ladies, who were never known to speak to any one, or to each other out of doors, went on their way quite unruffled. Years and years after this, you may imagine my surprise at meeting them in Exeter, old and grey, but the same singular silent pair. Then, after an interval of a year or two, only one appeared. I assure you, it gave me pain to look at that poor lonely, very lonely soul; but it was not for long. Kind Heaven took her also, and so a tiny ripple was made, and there was an end of the Alphington Ponies." The girls were, indeed, twins; Arabella (Annie) and Eliza (Bertha) Durnford were born on 30th December 1800 and were christened at St Clement's, London, the daughters of Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew Montague Isaacson Durnford (b.1774, London) and Barbara Ann Blake Shea (b.1779 in Dublin). Barbara Ann was the illegitimate daughter of Sir Patrick Blake by Peggy Shea, “a Mulatto woman” on Patrick’s plantation in the West Indies. Andrew and Barbara married in St Clement Danes, London in 1796.5 The family lived for a time at Alphington, part of Exeter, but had moved to Torquay by 1834. The twins apparently had three siblings who were not living with them at the time they moved to Torquay. Furthermore, their father Andrew Montague Isaacson Durnford had further children: five children with Mary Hadley; and six more with a woman called Harriet. When he died in 1858, his last will and testament (written in 1854) named all his children with Barbara.
31 According to Baring-Gould they lived in one of the two thatched cottages on the left of Tor Abbey Avenue when they relocated to Torquay from Alphington, Exeter. According to Arthur Ellis6 this was Lavender Cottage in Avenue Road, close to the gates to Tor Abbey. As they had no servants, all three shared the housework which clearly identified their social status to others. The ponies they brought with them had to be sold to make ends meet. 7 The sisters became notorious for their antics, but not all the stories can be corroborated and many of the episodes recounted by Baring-Gould were simply repeated by others. The tale of the “half a 5 pound note” is curious: no one questions how you can get hold of only half a bank note of that denomination in those days. The story of the Duke of Wellington is not so far-fetched. One legend surrounding them was omitted by Baring-Gould but mentioned by Ellis8 and is frequently recounted; their eccentricities were due to a tragedy in their lives - they were supposedly engaged to two brothers, one of whom accidentally shot and killed the other, and who then died of a broken heart. Certainly by 1834 they had moved to Torquay and were being summoned to court. A short announcement that Eliza Durnford, late of Tormoham, the County of Devon, spinster, (sued with Arabella Durnford) were due to be heard at the Court-house at Exeter, in the County of Devon, on the 23rd day of June, 1834, at 10 o'clock in the morning appeared in Western Times of Saturday 31 May 1834. The stories of the sisters´ financial escapades is substantiated by another account of October 1850.9 In a case brought by Mr Broad, a grocer, one of the sisters first attempted to claim she was the victim of mistaken identity as she was called Burrough. Then she alleged she had changed her name in anticipation of being wed to a rich gentleman. As Mr Broad was loathe to see the two women committed to prison (on a debt of £10 17s 6d), he proposed a two week “stay of execution” and the judge granted the same. However, the ladies answer was to say “If we don't then pay the money we will with pleasure go to prison” at which they then left the Court and entered a first class carriage for Torquay, by rail. The 1841 census records the family at Balsdon Terrace (with a number of other families). This address was probably just one very large Victorian villa along Abbey Road and is shown in Westley´s plan circa 1880 (Fig. 2.4a & b). Their mother died in 1851 and they moved back to Alphington. Their father died in 1858 and left the sisters money in his will. At the time of the 1861 census the sisters, still together, were visitors at the White Hart Hotel in St John´s Street, Salisbury.10
32 Fig. 2.4a and 2.4b: Balsdon Terrace is House 14 on Abbey Road (K7, green).
33 The two sisters were still listed as spinsters in announcements concerning savers in the West of England and South Wales District Bank in 186011 and still infamous due to their clothing excesses as late as 1863.12 At the Bath & West of England Agricultural Society show of that year there was a detailed account of the women´s fashion sense. Among the greatest curiosities of the day were a couple of ladies known in the ancient city as “the Alphington Ponies." These fair damsels, who were the observed of all observers, seem to have a very remarkable fondness for contrast in colour. They had each a dress of silk Velvet magenta, surmounted by a peagreen mantle, with parasols of the same. Their hats were á la mode, coming close to their flowing ringlets, and showing off to the full the whole of their faces. The countenances vied in colour with the magenta of the silk velvet. In their hats they had decided yellow feathers, and their pretty hands were covered with gloves the same colour. Just peering below, reaching to the very heel, were what appeared to very long continuations, also of the favoured magenta; but whether silk velvet, or thin fabric, our opportunities of knowing do not enable us to state. The whole costume was exceedingly “loud,” and as they kept moving throughout the day there was no one in the field but what had an opportunity of admiring them. When Eliza died suddenly in 1866 her death was reported in many local papers (Fig. 2.5).13 SUDDEN Death.—An inquest was held on Friday afternoon at the Red Lion Inn, St. Sidwells, … on the body of Eliza Durnford, a maiden lady, residing at No. 8, St. Sidwells. Arabella Durnford said: l am sister to the deceased. We have lived together since we were children. My sister had not been well since Tuesday night when she took to her bed. I thought she had a cold. … About half past eight on that evening she became much worse. She said she thought she was dying and asked me to lift her up in bed. I rang for our landlady, Mrs. Brice, but my sister did not speak afterwards, and died immediately in arms. … The deceased and her sister were well known in this city from the eccentric way in which they dressed. We believe they were twins, and were born in the year 1800. They were the daughters Colonel Durnford, of Stonehouse. Arabella died only a few years later, in 1871.
34 Fig. 2.5: Newspaper announcement on the death of Eliza Durnford in Exeter 1866. The two illustrations which accompanied Baring-Gould´s accounts, both taken from contemporary lithographs, caught my eye. It would seem that the first was published by Edward Croydon in the 1840s(Fig. 2.6). The dealer who sold an original from which Baring-Gould´s illustration was probably taken writes: a rare original lithograph published at Croydon's Circulating Library Torquay of Twin Ladies - reverse is inscribed in old ink pen Miss Durnford (measuring approx. 35 x 25 cm incl. margins).14 Fig. 2.6: Lithograph view of the Durnford Sisters by Croydon.
35 Croydon also issued a matching view from the back and a copy is held at the Devon & Exeter Institute. This has the sisters in similar, but different, attire. In both pictures the paving stones are shown but no buildings (See Chapter IV. Croydon, Elliott and Ardley). Edward Croydon of Teignmouth was, from the beginning, Cockrem´s main competitor and his Guide to the Watering Places … Between the Exe and the Dart as well as The Teignmouth Guide were very successful.15 Edward had premises at Regent Place, Teignmouth, but his eldest son (also Edward) opened his own shop and library in Torquay on Victoria Parade. This print was published by Edward at Croydon´s Circulating Library 10 Victoria Parade Torquay. The view from the back in Baring-Gould´s publication is more intriguing. The lithograph (I have a copy in full colour) measures approximately the same as the Croydon view (37 x 26 cm) but is signed in the picture R P Yeo del. There are three lines of text below: Signature P Gauci, lith, North Crescent, Bedford Square, London; Title TORQUAY; and an imprint Published by Edward Cockrem. Besides the two ladies, the most prominent feature of the view is the advertisement for Cockrem´s Directory Office below the attractive shop front window. Fig. 2.7: Torquay and Tor Directory (extract), Nov. 1845. A copy of the Torquay and Tor Directory for November 1845 carries a page of advertisements for Cockrem´s various wares. Almost lost at the bottom is a short insert announcing: Just Published – A Portrait of the Misses Durnford, by C Woolnoth, Esq. (Fig. 2.7). One of the pictures adorning the walls of the Devon and Exeter Institute happens to be an image of the sisters. Drawn from the life by Woolnoth the picture was Pubd by E Cockrem, Bookseller & Stationer, 10 Strand. The print is also signed Gauci, lith, North Crescent, Bedford Square, London. It would appear that Gauci, a well-known and respected London lithographer was specially commissioned to print these portraits (Fig. 2.8). This is certainly one of the best images of the sisters and it is not inconceivable that this is the counterpart to the view from the back used by Baring-Gould.
36 Fig. 2.8: Lithograph view of the Durnford Sisters by Woolnoth. Charles Woolnoth was a landscape and portrait painter. He offered his services to instruct in figure and portrait painting in crayon and black lead as well as oils. He would also exhibit his views in his home at 5 Park Street. Certainly, the two ladies were renowned for their daily stroll around the harbour area and it is hardly surprising that several portraits of them were published by local companies. A rather simpler view was published by Ardley of Torquay. He is known to have published books of prints and added his own imprint to several (see Chapter IV). The two ladies even appeared briefly in a vignette by Townsend executed for Henry Besley of Exeter (see Fig. 3.7).
37 Fig. 2.9: Staffordshire pottery figurines created between 1838 and 1850. The ladies must have attracted some considerable attention at the time. In addition to the two lithographs in the text and the other prints since discovered, Staffordshire potteries were soon selling figurines of the two sisters (Fig. 2.9) 16. Various colour combinations have been seen, and with or without Souvenir of Torquay written on the base. Most of these are dated to 1838-40. The Staffordshire wares show the Alphington Ponies in varying gaudy outfits. Rather coyly one description reads: The two sisters standing arm in arm, in top-hats, long jacket, short skirt, and pantalettes and carrying sunshades. It fails to notice the underwear hanging below their skirt seams (the nether latitude) which seems to have been rather provocative to some. Rather surprisingly, the ladies get no mention in any of the contemporary histories and guide books of the day. Neither Edward Croydon (1854) nor Edward Cockrem (1855-56) in their guides mention the ladies and J T White´s History of 1850 is also silent. Arthur Charles Ellis, compiling his An Historical Survey of Torquay in 1930, was given access to many pictures from the collection of W Winget of the Torquay Directory and includes two further views which are well worth noting. There is an interesting view of The Strand and Harbour in 1840 and the two sisters are clearly seen on the quayside (Fig. 2.10).17 Annabella and Eliza stroll back towards the town while workers carry on their business loading a small skiff. The Strand is clearly shown in the background and has not changed since the view drawn by Hearder (see Fig. 3.1). The more interesting view has the ladies passing Elliott´s Library on Vaughan Parade (See Chapter IV: Croydon, Elliott and Ardley).
38 Fig. 2.10: View of the Durnford Sisters and Strand illustrated in Ellis. The sisters were possibly around just too early for a real photograph. Recently I came across a page from a scrapbook with three separate views of the sisters. Making scrapbooks was a popular Victorian hobby and we know that H M A compiled a scrapbook of cuttings, including various views of Torquay and Neighbourhood in the 1860s. Along with two views cut from Croydon prints there is the obituary of Eliza Durnford from a local newspaper. However, there is also an original photograph which shows two women, who could be twin sisters, in identical outfits and is typical for photographs taken in the late Victorian period. Unfortunately, it has the style of photographs of the 1880s, so it does not show Eliza and Arabella: it would be nice to find one (Fig. 2.11).
39 Fig. 2.11: Victorian photograph of twin sisters, c.1880.
40 Notes to Chapter II: 1 The on-line catalogue, JISC, has over 3000 entries for Baring-Gould. 2 Text and illustrations as in S. Baring-Gould; Devonshire characters and strange events (with 55 full-page illustrations reproduced from old prints, etc.); London & New York; J Lane; 1908. The printer was local: William Brendon and Sons of Plymouth. 3 The story can be read at: (https://archive.org/details/devonshirecharac00bariuoft) or as part of the Gutenberg Project at https://www.gutenberg.org/files/48507/48507-h/48507-h.htm; go to (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sabine_Baring-Gould) for the life of Sabine Baring-Gould. 4 The footnote here reads: They are not so represented in the three lithographs that were published at Torquay. But two others beside this correspondent mention their appearance in "bloomers." 5 See especially the Durnford Family Website at https://edurnford.blogspot.com/which has a tremendous amount of information on the rather promiscuous Durnford males! See also the website https://www.durnfordfamily.com/ponies.html which has been posted by Cynde Durnford-Branecki (who notes Eliza Durnford as christened in 1813 at Oswald's Church, Ashbourne, Derbyshire). 6 Ellis, Arthur Charles; An Historical Survey of Torquay; Second Edition; Published by the Author at the Torquay Directory offices; Torquay; 1930. 7 It is interesting to note that the idea of carriages as tourist taxis was just beginning to flourish in Torquay at this time. 8 Ellis, Arthur Charles; 1930; page 341. 9 See for example, Western Times of Saturday 12th October 1850, from which this account is taken. 10 In the 1841 census Ann is 50, while the girls are only 20 years old. This is repeated in 1861: the girls ages are entered as 37. The White Hart is a late Georgian listed building today and still an hotel. 11 Monmouthshire Merlin and Western Times in February 1860. 12 Western Daily Mercury of Tuesday 9th June 1863, for example. 13 Exeter and Plymouth Gazette of Friday 12th October 1866. 14 From the Worth Point Corporation website in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, see https://www.worthpoint.com/worthopedia/torquay-twins-alphington-ponies-1777637147. 15 See Batten, Kit; Tourist Maps of Devon; Entries on the two Croydons are combined (August 2022). 16 See the National Trust at https://www.nationaltrustcollections.org.uk/object/341671 and the website of Bearnes, Hampton and Littlewood, auctioneers of Exeter. See also https://www.the-saleroom.com/engb/news/staffordshire-portraits-of-the-great-and-the-good-and-the-very-bad. 17 Ellis, Arthur Charles; 1930; page 341. From an engraving lent by Frank Clark, who bought a number of properties in Tormohan (from the Haldon estate) in the early 1900s. The source of the illustration is not clear but probably was in the possession of Mr W N Winget, who had taken over the Torquay Directory after Cockrem´s death.
41 Chapter III. The Strand Torquay: the main thoroughfare in the mid-1800s Fig. 3.1: Torquay circa 18321 Torquay was still a comparatively small town when Edward Cockrem moved back after his apprenticeship in Totnes, but The Strand was in many ways the hub of activity. Torquay had started to develop around the small bay which would eventually become its harbour (Fig. 3.1). The wood engraving included in one of Cockrem´s earliest publications, Blewitt´s Panorama of Torquay in 1832, shows the few streets at the harbourside with the Strand nearly at the water´s edge. A poem included as an extra in White´s History of Torquay2 lists some of the proprietors and residents of the Strand in October 1832, the year gas lighting reached Torquay. Cockrem had most probably only recently opened offices here, as the address given for him in Blewitt´s guide of that year still has 5 Mill Street, opposite the Lower Terrace. The properties were numbered from the left, Lawrence Place, ending with the Royal Hotel (formerly Poulton´s Hotel), the three-storey structure seen far right in the picture. Using a combination of Blewitt´s work (which included a business directory) and the enchanting poem (and especially the appended footnotes) we can sketch out the occupancy of the Strand in 1832.
42 The Introduction of Gas Come, quick, Jemima, fetch your shawl, Look opposite, a thousand heads, Come, come, and take my hand, Oh, me! whence can they come? And let us see the brilliant gas Pray tell me, Jenny, where's the man, Just lighted on the Strand. Where is he? Wy-att home.k Oh! yes, Papa,- Oh! what a treat! Now here's the last along the Strand, The Strand looks all in flames; It cuts a mighty splash, sir, I know the shops, so let me, pray, And I believe, don't you, Papa, Just tell you all the names. 'Twill help to make a Dashper. l The Bat, they say, ne'er quits his hole, There's Birmingham and Sheffield ware, Until the dusky night, Which used to look so sad; But there's a Bat's wing flitting round, Here, to the right, the people stare, More than the noonday bright. As if it were Stark mad.m And Bats, we're told, love darkness grim See here the new light circulates, Within their little cell: Without e'er smoke or gloom, But here ten gas lights blaze away Knowledge it offers of all sorts, At Batt's well known Hotel,a Or lights a Billiard Room. What have we next, 'midst silver bright, Here learning of all kinds is found, On pedestal so prim! For head, or heart, or soul; Had Jacob's father burned gas light, Good people, do not burn yourselves, He saw (Esau) had ne'er mocked him.b They say you're made of Cole,n Ribbons and lace, and dresses gay, Oh! here's a flame three feet in height, I ne'er have seen so well, Bright as a Salamander; This little shop, which once so dark, Too high to last, 'midst boots and shoes, Will now Rend-ell for ell.c He looks like a High Lander,o Here's old established grocery, And here's a many-coloured flame! Or physic as you will, The owner looks so sage, Who buys it here can see so clear As pills or potions he compounds, They never can Hav-ill.d Or reads the chymic Page. p Holm wood, I fear, has taken fire, But what a dingy light is seen, The blaze so brilliant comes; Our senses to appal The gas improves the trade so much, From Buckey's five-mould stingy ray Currants will turn to plums,e As far as darkness Hall.q Oh, la, Papa! Oh, pray look here! One light, indeed, beguiles the way, Don't be in such a hurry, And saves our scared wits, Just look at Cockrem's, one would think It lights the shop and pathway too, The Sun was stationary.f We've nought to fear from Pitts. r And here's a fiery dragon, too, To look at Gidley's farthing rush Just tamed by Mr. Burt, In truth I cannot stay, Sitting, he breathes six fiery flames, And that shop there does look so black, Flames which can do no hurt.g It's well called White away. s Oh! what a lovely pair I see, Now, dear Papa, I've seen enough, Shewn by this light in front, So homeward let us pass, 'Tis Hero and Leander, sure, And ´ere we lay us down thank God Across the Ellis pont. h That we have seen the gas. Here's gold and silver, jewels bright, Oh! may it prosper, may it show Sold by a Son of Job, The ruffian as he lurks, But he's magnificent, and so And may the new light drive away He needs must light the globe.i The devil and his works. Oh! what a flame, and white and blue, Good night, Jemima, fare thee well, I pray thee do but tarry, Thy words all praise surpass, Sure in this world was ne'er such blaze, And may'st thou never feel a flame He's Son of the Old Harry.j That's more impure than gas.
43 When gas was introduced to the town in 1832 Mr. Joseph Garrow, one of the resident magistrates, wrote the lines above which were reprinted by White in his history of the town in 1878: Papa and Jemima on a Walk on the Strand on the Night of October 8th, 1834, the first night the Gas was lighted in the Shops. Below is an attempt to identify who was where on the Strand on that evening, using the footnotes supplied plus adding a few omissions or subsidiary information. The numbers in bold identify shops on the Strand and are taken from Blewitt3 . Brackets contain the superscript for the added footnote added by White (1878, bold), and my own notes are added in brackets. Supplementary information is taken from White´s History of Torquay, 1850.4 The Royal Hotel (a); 14, Alexander Jacobs, Silversmith (b, number taken from White, advertising himself as Jeweller to his Majesty), in 1850 he is also listed as Madrepore Manufacturer; (13 John C Stark had an Ironmongers business (1850) and Cash & Butt were Linen and Woollen Drapers) and there was a branch of the Devon & Exeter Savings Bank under John Cowell Stark (actuary); 12, I & A Rendell, Linen-draper (c, in 1850 occupied by John C Stark, house agent); 11, Paul Havill (d), Chemist (with William Havill, Grocer and Tea Dealer); possibly occupying the same premises as Holmwood, Grocer (e); 10, Cockrem (f), Printer, &c. The Sun Printing Office (with, from the 1840s also rooms taken by L Moseley, dentist); 9, Burt, Cabinet Maker (g, Charles William); (8) James P Ellis, Hair-dresser (h, possibly recently moved from Abbey Place); possibly sharing space with James Braham who ran a watch and clock makers business but by 1850 Burt had taken some of the premises over to expand his business); (7) James Braham, jeweller (h, watch-maker, goldsmith & engraver); (at 6 in 1850 was Henry Narracott, Chemist & Druggist); 4, James Harrison, Chemist (j); (at 3 was Thomas Godfrey, coal merchant); 1 William Gidley, (s, Baker and Confectioner) & Mark Whiteway (s, Auctioneer) – we are told the premises were lit with candles (in 1850 Henry Bowden took over as baker and confectioner).
44 Other traders and businesses mentioned in the poem were all located in the vicinity: Richard Wyatt, Chemist (k, at 2 Lawrence Place, opposite). Henry Dashper, Linen-draper (I, at 1 and 8 Mill Street); Robert & William Stark, Ironmonger (m, and undertakers at the New Quay); Mrs. Peggy Cole's Library (n, at Lawrence Place, the premises taken over later by the bookseller and publisher Seeley); W Lander, Shoemaker (o, 1 Torwood Street); Thomas Paige, Chemist (p, 9 Torwood Road); John Buckingham, Grocer's (q, opposite Royal Hotel) – we are told the shop was lit with candles; probably sharing with Hall, Linen-draper (q, the footnote seems to jump here); Pitts, Baker (r); Other businesses noted in White´s as having premises on the Strand (1850), but unnumbered, are Fras. H Rendell, a Toy Dealer as well as Painter & Glazier; Ann Godfrey a Haberdasher; Webber & Alderton as Chemists and Druggists; and John Samuel Bowyer a Boot & Shoemaker. The row of two-storey stores along the Strand was built circa 1810. While the stores remained basically the same, the street did not. By the time Edward Cockrem died (1872) the Strand had been widened to allow more traffic and hence became the main thoroughfare. This is clearly seen in the views engraved in June 1863 (Fig. 3.2) and October 1875 (Fig. 3.3) by Rock & Co., of London, who were the leading publisher of small engravings from the 1850s. (Note both engravings are the same original, numbered 4724.)
45 Fig. 3.2: Torquay from Park Hill, dated 1863. Fig. 3.3: Torquay from Park Hill, dated 1875.
46 If Cockrem´s premises had been as extensive as those of Shapley & Austin who moved into No. 2 Strand some time before 1880 then there would have been plenty of room to provide a booksellers, printers and newspaper offices. Shapley & Austin advertised heavily in a small publication in which Cockrem´s successor, Arthur Westley, also advertised his many publications: the Illustrated Guide to Torquay by Joye C Kerr (Bristol; Mardon, Son & Hall, Caxton Works; 1884). From the first picture it is clear that there were also extensive cellars and that the rooms stretched considerably towards the back (Fig. 3.4). When the first Public Libraries Act gave local councils powers to set up libraries In August 1850 there were only two Circulating Libraries and Reading Rooms in Torquay: those of Edward Cockrem and Robert Wreford´s at 8, Braddons Row.5 He would have needed something spacious and comfortable for his affluent members. However, all the signs are that his premises were in the centre, i.e., one of the two storey buildings. But we do know, from Gauci´s print of the Durnford Sisters taken from Yeo´s drawing, that the store front had attractive bay windows.
47 Fig. 3.4: Shapley and Austin´s premises at No. 2, Strand. In none of Cockrem´s works is there any mention of other premises being used, so he must have located his printing office in the main building at No. 10, Strand. In addition to sales space for all the merchandise that he sold, and his library-comereading rooms, he would have required considerable storage space. A considerable amount of his stock was stationery (in Cockrem´s adverts also stationary), as seen in the section of an advertisement in his own Torquay and Tor Directory of November 1845 (Fig. 3.5).
48 Fig. 3.5: Edward Cockrem´s range of stationery products 1845. Cockrem also offered a bookbinding service and this would have necessitated having a workshop of some size. Other services included engraving and copper plate printing, the provision of books, new music and newspapers from London, and even the sale or hire of piano-fortes.
49 This Ordnance Survey map from 18546 shows the row of stores but, unfortunately, none of the premises are numbered. It gives an indication of the sizes of the buildings and how they stretched to the back but still had some garden before meeting Higher Terrace. Both The Royal and the Queen´s Hotels are shown on the right. If there were 14 premises (see poem) then Cockrem´s could have been the “double-fronted” store between the “A” and “N” of the street name (Fig. 3.6). Fig. 3.6: Torquay from Ordnance Survey Sheet CXVI.14 (detail). His was a strategic location, not only on the Strand, but also in the vicinity of the two main hotels in Torquay at the time. This view by Besley7 shows not only Webb´s Hotel (the Royal Hotel) directly in front, but also Hearders Family Hotel to the right (Fig. 3.7a). Cockrem gave these two hotels priority in 1845-46 and all visitors were noted separately at the end of the street index. In the week preceding August 14th 1846 for example, while Webb´s Royal Hotel could claim the Countess of Mount Edgcumbe and Lord Valletort, Hon. Charles Mount Edgcumbe as guests, the nearby Hearders had Sir James and Lady Copley.
50 When George Townsend drew his picture in 1853, he must either have noticed the Durnford Sisters or been told about their escapades and he included them in his drawing. This appeared in Besley´s Route Book published the following year. In his drawing the sisters are set centre stage – but they were erased and replaced by horses a year later (Fig. 3.7b). His view shows the original two-storey arrangement along the Strand. Fig. 3.7a and 3.7b: Torquay Strand circa 1853
51 The view sold by Cockrem in his bookshop towards the 1870s by Kershaw and Son of the Strand (to the right of the picture) gives an indication of the entrances to the nearer of the stores (Fig. 3.8). Croydon´s bookshop and library would initially be set up “adjoining Poulton´s Hotel” (Blewitt) but by 1850 he was on Victoria Parade (opposite the hotel and from where the view is taken). Fig. 3.8: Torquay Strand circa 1870 At the other end of the Strand the road takes a slight right-hand curve to Fleet Street and Lower Union Street, leading into what today is the centre of Torquay town, but Vaughan Parade and Palk Street meet the road at the corner, at Lawrence Place. Here the row of premises was fronted by a promenade (Vaughan Parade) and a lane ran behind with Cary Parade the main road towards the sea front (today Palk Street is a footpath in a small park). This view by J S & Co., of London (who worked with Kershaw and Son) shows a few more three-storey shops and attractive store fronts at the junction with Lawrence Place (Fig. 3.9).
52 Fig. 3.9: The Strand and Lawrence Place in 1870. One can clearly see the name Carroll on the left at the one end of the Strand and on the right is the premises of Seeley´s Library. The former could be Carroll, Fisher & Co., importers of wine and ale as well as grocers and tea dealers (White´s Directory 1850) and later Shapley and Austin (circa 1880) at 2, the Strand; the latter was formerly Mrs Cole´s Library at 2, Lawrence Place, and later the premises of William Elliott, who was contemporary with Edward Cockrem. Elliot´s is the only other building identifiable in a print including the Durnford Sisters (see 4.7). A rare photograph, said to be from 1865, shows the Strand from Park Hill Road and the central row are still all two-storey buildings, each with an attractive awning (Fig. 3.10). Cockrem´s premises would have been one of these to the middle (near the trees).