Sidcup, Kent - in search of W H Gill

Subject: RE: Sidcup, Kent - in search of W H Gill
From: GUEST,Bobby Bob, Ellan Vannin
Date: 17 Nov 10 - 09:15 AM

I am very grateful to Virgina, Girl Friday and Rafflesbear for the information. I'm sorry I missed it before now. I'm afraid I've not checked on Mudcat for some time, with one thing and another.

Rafflesbear, thank you for all the particulars you've given. Gill himself would have commuted every day as he worked in the GPO Chief Secretary's Office in St Martin's in London.

From 1893 onwards, Gill was involved with collecting and making musical arrangements (and writing some lyrics) of music associated with the Isle of Man. Despite having been born in Marsala in Sicily, his forebears were all Manx, and his brother was a high court judge in the Isle of Man.

The first fruits of this labour was published as 'Manx National Songs' in 1896 (Boosey & Co, London). Strangely enough, Gill had taken extensive time off work (100+ days of sick leave) in 1895. He took early retirement on health grounds in 1898 at the age of 58.

Nevertheless, Gill published several collections of songs and hymns at his own expense, and also had 'Songs of the British Folk' published by J Curwen & Sons in 1917. He died at the age of 83 in 1923. Not bad for someone who had to retire because of his health. Did I mention that the doctor who gave his diagnosis was a personal friend of his?!?

Thanks once again to you all for all your help.

Lhiuish,

Bobby Bob

Subject: RE: Sidcup, Kent - in search of W H Gill
From: Rafflesbear
Date: 26 Sep 10 - 07:14 PM

By 1901 with William Gill no longer there, the house is named "Mona" and "Kilkenny"(??? still not clear) is shown on the far side of "Wavertree"

In 1871 Gill is living in Halfway Street, just round the corner from Hatherley Road and is still listed as working for the GPO. There is a postal sorting office in Halfway Street (from which I shall be collecting an undelivered parcel tomorrow [is this too much information?]) so it is possible if not probable that is where he worked.

Subject: RE: Sidcup, Kent - in search of W H Gill
From: Rafflesbear
Date: 26 Sep 10 - 06:40 PM

In the 1881 census William H Gill (a British subject born in Sicily) and his wife Harriet, five daughters, two sons, mother-in-law, sister-in-law, nurse and cook are living in Hatherley Road at unnamed and unnumbered premises next to a building called Wavertree.

Wavertree appears to have been 29 Hatherley Road so possibly William Gill was at 31

Going away from Sidcup High Street buildings remain intact as far as Granville Road (No 19), beyond that Hatherley Road has been completely reconstructed as far as 87 and that must include Gill's abode.

In that census Gill is listed as "Clerk Genl PO London (CSC) & Organist"

By the 1891 census there is another house "Kilkenny(?)" between the Gills and Wavertree. There is no mention of "Mona" on either census.

In 1891 he is living with his wife, four daughters, one son and a niece and nephew and is shown as "Civil Servant Clerk GPO"

I think this photo is indicative of the sort of building it would have been Hatherley Road 1900 not as you might imagine a cottage.

Subject: RE: Sidcup, Kent - in search of W H Gill
From: Girl Friday
Date: 26 Sep 10 - 01:14 PM

I'm sending this enquiry to RTB as I think he lives near there.

Subject: RE: Sidcup, Kent - in search of W H Gill
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 26 Sep 10 - 12:25 PM

Thinking it is most likely Mona Cottage based on this


http://www.isle-of-man.com/manxnotebook/mxman/v04p005.htm

I did a search for Mona on the Kent Archives online catalogue. Way too many hits. I would say send an email to the Record Office nearest Sidcup and see what they advise.

Subject: RE: Sidcup, Kent - in search of W H Gill
From: VirginiaTam
Date: 26 Sep 10 - 12:14 PM

check the corresponding Record Office for house histories.

http://www.kent.gov.uk/leisure_and_culture/archives_and_local_history.aspx

Subject: Sidcup, Kent - in search of W H Gill
From: GUEST,Bobby Bob, Ellan Vannin
Date: 26 Sep 10 - 12:10 PM

William Henry Gill was one of the first committee members of the Folk-Song Society in 1898. His three commercial publications were 'Manx National Songs' (1896) and 'Manx National Music' (1898) for Boosey & Co and 'Songs of the British Folk' (1917) for Curwen & Sons.

He lived from perhaps 1870ish to 1898 in Hatherley Road, Sidcup, Kent, in a house called either 'Mona Cottage' or 'Mono Cottage'.

From looking at street level pictures of the area, Hatherley Road has been much redeveloped in places. Does any Mudcatter know of a 'Mona/Mono Cottage' in Hatherley Road?


Bobby Bob, Ellan Vannin