John White in public life
Interests in Rickmansworth and further afield
John White was a well-known figure, not only in Rickmansworth but in agriculture in Hertfordshire and more widely. A devout Christian, he took his duties seriously in all walks of life and business and was trusted and respected by many. He was tasked with being a named Executor in the Wills of many friends and relations.
Image: John White (the only photograph of which we're aware)
His diaries record most of the events in which he was involved, and in doing so allow us to see behind the scenes of what was often reported in the newspapers and official records.
As well as being a church warden he was a member of the Board of Guardians of the Watford Union Workhouse, which was built in Vicarage Road, Watford in 1837; and of the body which oversaw the National School in Rickmansworth.
John White was a committee member of both the South West Hertfordshire Agricultural Association and the Rickmansworth Agricultural Society, and attended meeetings of many bodies and campaigns.
Watford Observer, 14 August, 1875
The Workmen’s Club
The diaries give an insight into the precursor to the modern Working Men’s Club - but it seems to have been set up by the gentry, including Mr White.
Jan 30th 1877, “The Rev. Mr Burnside [rector of Hertingfordbury and the instigator and founder of the Convalescent Home in St Leasonards on Sea, Sussex] call’d to Dy to see me abt. The Workmans Club & the Herts Convalescent home.”
Hertfordshire Convalescent Home, http://www.hertfordshire-genealogy.co.uk/data/subjects/herts-convalescent-home.htm
In April 1882 JW, with Fanny and Amy, visited while staying at Hastings – ‘A beautiful Place’ And in Sept 1885, ‘The Harvest Thanksgiving Service to Day. Collection for the Hertfordshire Sea Side home at Hastings – acct £17.15’.
Feb 7th 1877,“Mr. Algernon Grosvenor [Lord Ebury's youngest son] call’d this Morning & Mr. Moryfield in the Afternoon to see me about the Workmans Club. The Meeting to be held to night.”
March 5th 1877, “… at Workmens Club in the Evg. when the Club was formally opened by Ld. Ebury. Abt. 130 Members … Tea & Coffee was served in the Evg. & the Members were allow’d some Beer & to Smoke.”
20 March 1877,“Attended a Comttee. Meeting of the Workmen Club in the Evening”.
Nov 1877, “At the Workmens Club in the evening. Mr Patterson gave a lecture on Dr. Livingstone’s Travels.”
Feb 1879,“At the Workmens Club in the Evening. Mr. Hodson Pratt here who gave an address there to the Members & others … excellent & every one most pleased.”
John White went to the club fairly often, but it folded in 1883 - we don’t know why.
"April 1883, Had a final meeting at Brightmans to see all the a/c &c. Settled relating to the Workmens Club & wound everything up."
Politics
August 17th 1846
“Self at Home all Day till ½ past 5 O’ck afterwards went to the Chartist Jubilee.”
Freemasons Tavern, Wikipedia
February 8th 1865
“Went to London after and attended a meeting of the Anti Malt Tax Association at the Freemasons Tavern, Gt Queen Street, London. Sir Fitzroy Kelly in the chair. The meeting was largely attended and very determined and unanimous to get rid of the entire duty on malt which is highly oppressive.”
Oxhey Hall (Watford Museum)
July 21st 1865
“The Election in the middle of the Day to Poll for the Conservatives & went on to Oxhey Hall to Dinner.”
November 11th 1868
“Call´d at Watford to Vote in my Way, it being the Election for the County. Voted for Smith & Surtees the two ConservativeMembers, but I am fearful we shall not return both, the Two Liberal Members are Cowper & Brand.”
November 28th 1888
“Attended a meeting at 6 p.m. at the Nat School for the purpose of nominating a person to represent this Parish at the forthcoming County Council. Nominated Mr Henderson. W. White of Mill End has already offered himself for the Post so I suppose there will be a contest.”
December 7th 1888
“Got Change at the Bank and Canvasing for Mr Henderson for County Council.”
January 14th 1889
“Canvasing for Mr Henderson and attending a meeting of his Comttee at Harvey Fellows Office till One O’ck.”
January 17th 1889
“Walk’d down to Rickmansworth the first thing after breakfast to Vote for Mr Henderson for County Council”
January 18th 1889
“Henderson Elected. White W. no where.”
March 19th 1889
“Watford all excitement to Day a Grand Banquet given to Lord Salisbury in the Agricultural Hall this Evg and the Opening of the New Conservative Club.”
Local and wider infrastructure
John White was involved in much local business, even before we consider his role as a churchwarden. He was a director of the Watford Agricultural Hall, and a member of various Herts agricultural committees which brought him into contact with much wider considerations. Some examples:
Essex Arms.(No longer standing) Source; Watford Museum website
22 Feb 1870, “Dined at the Essex Arms, attended a Meeting of Agricultural Hall Co. in the afternoon to decide upon the site for the Building &c.”
23 Oct 1877, “Had a meeting at John Sedgwicks office at 3.30 to hear an application from the Lessees of the Agricultural Hall abt. releasing them from their engagement for the rest of their Term, … we could not entertain.”
Oct 1877, “Came back to Rick’th & met … Fellows & … Inspector health & took samples of Water … sent to London for Analysis.”
Nov 1877, “Met Herbert Fellows & Mr. Heath, the Sanitary Inspector & went over the Town with them till 2 o’c to ascertain the condition relative to the drainage & the Water supply.”
Dalrymple House, Rickmansworth (Uxbridge Road, Mill End) https://www.thelancet.com/pdfs...
October 1883, “Attended… Opening of the Dalrymple Home for Inebriates in the afternoon…. Several Clergymen & Physicians from London Spoke … including ... Lord Claud Hamilton. Lord Shaftsbury … excused himself on account of his health.”
July 1879, “… a large meeting of Noblemen & Farmers at … Society of Arts in … Strand, to take into consideration the present distress’d state of agriculture & what remedy to adopt …Marquis of Huntly in the Chair. A resolution was prop’d to ask the Government to appoint a Royal Commission to enquire into it. Afterward … the Farmers Club Dinner at the Inns of Court Hotel Holborn … last train from London 12.5 & got home abt 2a.m.”
The Town mourns the death of John White
Uxbridge & W. Drayton Gazette, & May, 1904
Watford Observer, 10 September, 1904
The London Orphan Asylum
We don’t really know what triggered his interest in the London Orphan Asylum, set up in 1813 by Dr Reed as a charitable school with sites in Shoreditch for boys and in Bethnal Green for girls.But in 1866 he helped his nephews Freddie and Harry get places after the death of their father, and stayed involved as the school moved to Watford in 1871.
June 28th 1869, “… to London this morning & returned by the 3.50 from London. The Election of the London Orphan Asylum.”
July 13th 1869, “Attended the Ceremony of Laying the Foundation Stone of the New London Orphan Asylum atWatford by the Prince & Princess of Wales. A very pretty interesting sight. Sat down to a substantial dejeuner afterwards. Lord Verulam presiding with the Princess & Prince right & left and all the Nobility & Gentry in the neighbourhood.”
Aug 13 1869, “Call’d on Mrs Swannell inspecting a Case of Hers for the London Orphan Working School.”
Jan 24th 1870, “… in London all Day, attended the Election of the London Orphan Asylum. Did not succeed with the Candidate for whom I was interested.”