Epping Forest.

[p.risboy]

This article was sent to me regarding my daughters 3xGt.Grandfather, John Thomas Bedford.

COUNCIL CHAMBER CORRIDOR. Marble Bust by Walter Merrett


John Thomas Bedford, member of the Court of Common Council for Farringdon Without from 1865 to 1896, was born at Snow Hill in 1812.
He carried on the business of an undertaker's furnisher. The work with which his name will be identified more than that of any other person, is the preservation of Epping Forest for the use of the people.
He laboured with persistence to attain this object, and it was due to him that the Corporation took steps to procure the Act which empowered the Crown to issue a Commission to inquire into the various rights of all parties over Epping Forest.
In the end the great work was accomplished, and on the 6th May, 1882, Queen Victoria, in person, declared the Forest dedicated to the use of the public for all time.

He was also a contributor to Punch, to the extent of over 200 articles, written chiefly under the name of "Robert," and entitled "Notes from the Diary of a City Waiter."
He served the office of Deputy from 1884 to 1896, and died in March, 1900. On the brass tablet affixed to the bust is inscribed: "He saved Epping Forest for the People.'

I just googled his name, and he has other books published.

Robert: or, Notes from the diary of a city waiter by John Thomas Bedford and Charles Samuel Keene (1885).
The Story of the Preservation of Epping Forest ... Second edition by John Thomas Bedford (1882).
Opening of West Ham Park, by John Thomas Bedford (1874).



Steve.

 

[woodlander]

Wow Steve! Good stuff - great to have in your records

 

[p.risboy]

And he's got a brand new 4xGt. Grandaughter now, born just over 3 weeks ago.:2fun:

 

[leefer]

This article was sent to me regarding my daughters 3xGt.Grandfather, John Thomas Bedford.

COUNCIL CHAMBER CORRIDOR. Marble Bust by Walter Merrett


John Thomas Bedford, member of the Court of Common Council for Farringdon Without from 1865 to 1896, was born at Snow Hill in 1812.
He carried on the business of an undertaker's furnisher. The work with which his name will be identified more than that of any other person, is the preservation of Epping Forest for the use of the people.
He laboured with persistence to attain this object, and it was due to him that the Corporation took steps to procure the Act which empowered the Crown to issue a Commission to inquire into the various rights of all parties over Epping Forest.
In the end the great work was accomplished, and on the 6th May, 1882, Queen Victoria, in person, declared the Forest dedicated to the use of the public for all time.

He was also a contributor to Punch, to the extent of over 200 articles, written chiefly under the name of "Robert," and entitled "Notes from the Diary of a City Waiter."
He served the office of Deputy from 1884 to 1896, and died in March, 1900. On the brass tablet affixed to the bust is inscribed: "He saved Epping Forest for the People.'

I just googled his name, and he has other books published.

Robert: or, Notes from the diary of a city waiter by John Thomas Bedford and Charles Samuel Keene (1885).
The Story of the Preservation of Epping Forest ... Second edition by John Thomas Bedford (1882).
Opening of West Ham Park, by John Thomas Bedford (1874).



Steve.

Brilliant that.....found any photos Steve of the man from Epping?

 

[dragonhammer]

The connection with Epping is interesting, as his ancestor, Thomas Bedford, was an innkeeper in Epping in the 1750s

 

[p.risboy]

The connection with Epping is interesting, as his ancestor, Thomas Bedford, was an innkeeper in Epping in the 1750s

May I ask how you know this info please, and have you any interest in the Bedfords.

Steve.

 

[dragonhammer]

Thomas Bedford had 5 children - 1 daughter and 4 sons, I'm descended from the second son John, and Joshua Thomas Bedford was a son of William Bedford, the third son. Thomas Bedford died young in 1752, his widow remarried John Turner - I think a Bedford turns up later with Turner as a middle name, so I assume he wasn't a bad step father.

 

[p.risboy]

My Joshua Thomas Bedford was born Snow Hill, Holborn in 1777, son of William Bedford & Sarah(nee.Hill).

His father William Bedford(1753) was a coffin maker/undertaker, and that buisness carried on through the family, amongst other financial interests.

I haven't come across any Turner links as yet, but I have still more to do.

Steve.

 

[dragonhammer]

Thomas Bedford & Mary Lord were married in Loughton in 1748. Their marriage licence papers survive in the Record Office.

Your ancestor William was apprenticed to a joiner in the city in 1767, and his son, Joshua Thomas, to the same joiner in 1791.

Looks as though all the Bedford boys were apprenticed to tradesmen in the City of London (perhaps their step dad wanted to get rid of them). The eldest son, Thomas was apprenticed to a plumber. Not sure about my ancestor John, possibly to a draper, and the youngest son, Robert, possibly to a goldsmith.

Thomas was brought back to Epping for burial in 1813.

 

[p.risboy]

I've found Thomas's Indenture papers to Edward Chandler in 1767.

Interesting family the Bedfords.

So Annoying when you Google though, The Duke of Bedford floods the pages.

 

[dragonhammer]

Was Sarah Hill a daughter of Joshua Hill? My ancestor John Bedford married Mary Hill, and she had an elder sister called Sarah.

 

[p.risboy]

Yes, daughter of Joseph Hill & Rebecca ? ? ?.

Sarah Hill
Baptism Date: 19 Aug 1753
St Sepulchre, Holborn
London
Borough: City of London
Parent(s): Joseph Hill,
Rebecca Hill
Record Type: Baptism

 

[dragonhammer]

Are you sure that she's Joseph & Rebecca's daughter and not Joshua & Mary's? Who were the witnesses for William's marriage?

I thought Joshua Thomas might have been named after his two grandfathers.

 

[p.risboy]

Are you sure that she's Joseph & Rebecca's daughter and not Joshua & Mary's? Who were the witnesses for William's marriage?

I thought Joshua Thomas might have been named after his two grandfathers.

All I can say, is that I've searched for any other possible baptisms, and come up with nothing else, within the area and timescale.

I haven't progressed any further, as I've said.

So I could well be wrong, but until I can find another alternative, that's as far as I'll go.
All things are liable to change.:2fun:

 

[dragonhammer]

I've now checked the will of Joshua Hill, and he names his sons-in-law as William and John Bedford.
Joshua was from Northampton (born circa 1726), his father was Thomas Hill, a cordwainer. Joshua was apprenticed to a blacksmith in London called Bartholomew Beavan.
Joshua married Mary Crew in 1750.

 

[jsbedford]

Hello, my name is John Amador-Bedford, I live in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain, and have been researching my family through the Internet due to the distance factor.
I have been trying to break down the wall in my genealogy search, after reaching back to John Bedford (artist/joiner) born around 1782 in London.

The route I had taken lately was through the indentures for apprentices in London which gave me the following:
John's son, John Duke Bedford (b1815 and undertaker in his professional life) was apprenticed as a joiner to Joshua Thomas Bedford on Aug 4 1829.
John Bedford was apprenticed as a joiner to Edward Chandler on Dec 4 1798.
His father, William Bedford was also apprenticed as a joiner to Edward Chandler on June 2 1767.
The indenture papers record that his father, Thomas Bedford, was a victualler from Epping, Essex, dead by this year, 1767.

Trying to get further information on these ancestors I came across this exchange with p.risboy mentioning how your William Bedford was married to Sarah Hill and was mentioned in her father's will, together with his brother John, apparently your direct ancestor.

This ties in with my research and I would be VERY grateful if you could tell me where I could see a copy of that will or whether you could send me a copy.

I would, of course, exchange any information and documents you might need that I might have and be of your interest, since you seem to be definitely related to the Thomas Bedford descendants.

Do you have any information regarding William's children with Sarah? I would like to nail down that William and Sarah were John's parents.
I have come across a John Bedford, born 1783, christened at St. James Clerkenwell, Islington, Mdx and John Turner Bedford, born 1784 and same christening facts, both sons of William and Sarah Bedford but I am not sure, at the moment that these are the couple we refer to since I have also found a William, Joshua Thomas, Sarah and Matilda, all Bedfords with same parents but christened around these years in St. Sepulchre, City of London, where Sarah Hill was also christened... so can't make my mind up!

Any comments and docs would be welcome.
Best,
John

 

[p.risboy]

Hi John, I'm no further than you are. I'm in the same position, and living in Ireland.

Steve.

 

[dragonhammer]

If you give me your email address I can forward copies of a couple of wills

 

[p.risboy]

If you give me your email address I can forward copies of a couple of wills

Private message sent David.

 

[jsbedford]

David/Steve,
I have only just registered a couple of days ago and can't find a way to send you my email privately... so please let me know how I can do that or whether it is correct to show it in a message...
I have looked at the FAQ but they talk about an "email" button that I can't find!
Best,
John