05/02/1832 –22/08/1899
Master tailor, father of 13, sent his 8 sons to Berkhamsted School. Dynasty largely distinguished...
Relatives
Research:
THE TIMSONS- :Â A SHORT STUDY OF ONE GENERATION
The name of Timson was very prominent in this area in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, but for the purpose of this article we shall concentrate on the family of Samuel and Alice Timson.
Samuel Timson, a master tailor, the son of a gardener, married Alice Rowland of Hendon in the March quarter of 1854. Samuel and Alice produced thirteen children in the twenty-two years between 1855 and 1877. There were eight boys and five girls. The boys were:
- Samuel Rowland Timson (1855-1932)
- Charles Timson
- John Robert
- Arthur Bernard Timson
- Frederick Albert (b.1862)
- Ernest Alfred, (b.1865)
- Harold Harvey Timson (b.1870)
- Octavius Paul (b.1872)
A number of these children from one generation were to lead lives of distinction, contributing in an active way to the life of the community in Berkhamsted and further afield. One son distinguished himself in a different way — something of a mystery surrounds him.
Education was important for Samuel and Alice and all eight boys attended Berkhamsted School. Samuel Rowland Timson, the eldest, was born in the March quarter of 1855. On leaving school he went to work for William Cooper & Nephews, initially as a commercial clerk, where he quickly made his way up the scale until he became instrumental in establishing Cooper’s overseas branches, especially in South Africa and in South America.
He had had active service in South Africa during the Boer War, enlisting as a volunteer in the Berkhamsted contingent of the Hertfordshire Regiment and left Southampton on 14th February 1900 for active service. He became a Lieut. Colonel, and continued his military interest after the War since he prepared the financial statement of the Volunteer Rifle Company, Sub division. He served on the Berkhamsted Urban District Council and in 1936 became its Chairman. He was also a Governor of Berkhamsted School, of which he was an Old Boy, and played an active role in that position. He attended the opening ceremony of the new buildings and prize giving of Berkhamsted Girls Grammar School in 1906.
He was involved n the Scheme for the Administration of the Foundation and it was in connection with that and the accompanying negotiations that he crossed swords with Dr Fry, the Headmaster. In April 1898, on being elected a Governor by the Northchurch Parish Council, he turned his attention to ‘local rights in the School’, insinuating that its income was misapplied in favour of boarders. When the Rector warned him that Dr Fry might take this personally he wrote to Dr Fry stating he did not imply personal criticism, but the tone of the letter was somewhat offensive. Before Dr Fry could respond Samuel Rowland Timson sent a copy of the letter to the press. Fry replied to Timson, and pointed out that for the last ten years he had been subsidising the School out of his private income. The correspondence continued, becoming increasingly acrimonious. At Governors’ meetings Timson indulged in pinpricks, demanding and obtaining, easier access for the public to the accounts.
Although Timson became more circumspect he was not altogether put down. Some of the reforms he introduced were business-like and beneficial but it was the way in which various matters were handled which was extremely non – diplomatic.  In 1906 the Governors ‘without implying any reflections on those who had taken part in them’ somewhat pointedly placed on record their entire confidence in Fry and his colleagues. At this, Timson handed in his resignation stating he would be overseas for a period. Before long he was again in Berkhamsted and seems to have continued as a Governor. From his behaviour it appears that S.R. Timson was a difficult man, unreasonable, insensitive and pugnacious, and maybe rather full of his own importance. Dr Fry was impetuous and over-sensitive of any criticism. There was a clash of personalities.
Perhaps Samuel Rowland Timson was more suited to the business world. He had joined the firm of William Cooper & Nephews in 1870 as an office boy at the age of 15.There is no doubt he was highly thought of by Coopers. S.R. Timson became a Director on the Board of William Cooper & Nephews, which was formed in 1920 and the expansion of the export trade was very largely due to his efforts. He made constant journeys overseas, establishing and supervising agencies and branches, to his younger brother, Charles, were both given special recognition for their 50 years’ service with the firm. Samuel Rowland was granted power of attorney in the Argentine and in Uruguay, thus giving him the authority to make important decisions, without recourse to the Cooper head office in Berkhamsted. He appears to have been a rather colourful figure and to have moved up the social scale in the course of his life, living at one stage at the Kraal, and on another occasion at Dennison House, Little Gaddesden, both of which were almost certainly owned by the Cooper family. Samuel Rowland Timson died in Cape Province South Africa on 13th February 1932.
His younger brother Charles joined the firm in 1881at the age of 14, also as an office boy. He, together with his elder brother Samuel became pioneers in the overseas expansion, which led to Coopers receiving worldwide recognition. The emphasis shifted to the expansion of the firm rather than the creation of new products. Charles was Manager of the Private Company of William Cooper & Nephews and later Vice-Chairman of the Public Company Cooper McDougall & Robertson, which was formed in 1925. He was responsible for setting up the first branch in Galverston, Texas in 1890.and became Managing Director of Coopers in the U.S.A.
He was recognised as a loyal worker and was no doubt very capable, even if a less colourful individual than his elder brother. Charles died on 1st January 1927 at the age of 67. He left effects of £3,434 15s 7d. Probate was granted to his wife, Ellen Louisa. It is indicative of the esteem with which he was held by Cooper and of the support which the firm gave to its employees that it undertook to pay the school fees of one of Timson’s granddaughters, which Charles had obviously been paying during his life time.
None of the other brothers appears to have worked for William Cooper & Nephews, in any prominent capacity. John Robert became a certificated teacher and organist and moved away from Berkhamsted. It was left to Arthur Bernard Timson to carry on his father’s business since he remained in Berkhamsted and became a tailor. His daughter, Ada Catherine Timson brought the name of Timson to prominence once more since she was to become Headmistress of Victoria Girls’ School for many years. Her portrait hangs still today in the old building of Victoria School together with a tribute to her.
Of Frederick Albert born in the March quarter of 1862 I can find no trace with any certainty.
Of the remaining three boys two of them, Ernest Alfred, born in the December quarter of 1865, and Harold Harvey Timson, born in the June quarter of 1870, seem to have been affected by the wanderlust of their two older brothers. Ernest Alfred married Helen Emma Tinning in Battersea on 4th August 1898 and then settled in Brighton, Victoria Australia. He died in Melbourne on 25th March 1915. Perhaps he worked for Coopers?
Harold Harvey Timson went out to the USA and settled near Massachusetts. He married an American, Mabel Voudry, in Somerville Massachusetts in 1906 and later became an American citizen. He also became a Mason being a member of the Massachusetts Lodge. He is buried in Westbridge Cemetery, Charlton Massachusetts. He worked for an insurance company.
The youngest boy, Octavius Paul (the 8th son) born in the December quarter of 1872 brings a rather sad end to this article. We have a good record of his life until May 1913 when he disappeared and all trace appears to have been lost of him. He had seven brothers before him as examples, largely of success, to live up to or to attempt to surpass them.
From the 1901 census we learn that he was the Vestry Clerk and the collector of rates for BUDC and also for the parish of Northchurch, a very important and responsible position in the town, which could however lead to temptation. He had married Avis Annie Wood of the well-known local family in 1899, by all accounts, and from her portrait, a very attractive woman. Perhaps she had expensive tastes.
From the 1911 census we see that the family has moved to Charles Street and they now have three boys and two girls ranging in age from 10 years to 4 months. They also employ a servant.
Octavius Paul was well known in Berkhamsted. From programmes in the Society’s collection we know he was an active member of the Berkhamsted Dramatic Club. He became Grandmaster of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, Great Berkhampstead District. Whatever the cause may have been he began to live beyond his means and to succumb to temptation.
The whole sorry story up until he sought refuge from the law and vanished, is well documented in the Bucks Herald. ‘Big Deficiences in Public Accounts.10th May 1913:
Mr Herbert Lyon opened the audit of the various accounts at the Board Room Berkhamsted on Thursday 1st May. The absence from the town since April 10th of Mr Octavius Paul Timson, who was not only rate collector for the Board of Guardians and the Urban District Council but also Clerk to Northchurch Parish Council and who held other public offices caused a special interest to be taken in the audit.
The accounts of the BUDC showed that £749 13. 2. was due from Mr Timson , for Berkhamsted Rural that the deficiency appeared to be £79.15.1. The Northchurch Parish Council showed that £30.4.9 was due from the Clerk and that rents had been paid him for 2 years. The audit was adjourned until the following Monday …..
They had found out that someone had entered into a bond for Timson for £500 just before he left the town and had since paid the money.
Mr Timson appeared to have studied the criminal law with the object of evading it. The Overseers were continually asking Timson about his accounts but he put them off with some excuse or other. At the Bank it was thought that Mr Timson was living beyond his means. There were grounds for prosecution.
May 17th 1913 it was proposed by Mr Bedford seconded by Mr George that Mr O.P. Timson be now dismissed from his appointment as Collector of the poor rate for the parishes of Great Berkhamsted Urban District Council and R.D.C and Northchuch Parish. The Clerk reported Overseers of Great Berkhamsted U.D.C had obtained a warrant for Mr O.P. Timson’s arrest on charge of larceny of money entrusted for a specific purpose. Jobs to be advertised as soon as possible.
10th January 1914 Auditors had surcharged Mr O.P. Timson with various sums of money, payments to be made under the Bond.
3rd January 1914 It was reported that Mr Timson was dismissed from all of his offices and a warrant issued for his arrest, but nothing had since been heard of him.’
Intense perusal of various documents has failed to find any trace of Octavius Paul. Descendants of the family believe he went to Australia. He must have travelled there incognito under a different name. With such a large family scattered over the world somebody must have given him sanctuary or supported his wife and family. Who had taken out the bond?
Avis Annie lived until 1955 and is buried in Rectory Lane Cemetery.
Somebody must know what really happened to O.P. Timson, who had brought shame on the family name.