Ruth Veranna Goddard (1850-1925)
Adeline remembers something of the Goddards …. “Ruth Goddard was a very popular singer. She married Mr. Harry Beaumont, who was for many years organist at St. Mary’s Church.”
Ruth Veranna Goddard was the youngest child of John and Ruth Goddard, born at 11.20 am. on January 22nd 1850, 20 minutes after the birth of her twin sister Mary. (the name Veranna/Verana can be traced back through mother Ruth’s family line).
The Goddard musical interests did not stop with the strong connections to the Ilkeston Brass Band. Ruth Veranna was ‘prior to her marriage the leading vocalist in the town, and took part in many of the best concerts in the neighbourhood’.
Here, for example is Ruth Veranna, aged almost 15 …
Derby Mercury Jan 4th 1865.
Penny Readings at The British Schoolrooms.
The readers were Mr. H. Tatham, Mr. Lissett, and the Revs W.W. Jubb and Barrat. Miss Long played a fantasia on the pianoforte, which was well-received. Miss Ruth Goddard and Miss Beetham also favoured the audience with songs during the evening.
At a similar Penny Readings at the same venue …
Nottingham Journal Oct 28th 1865.
Mr. Bowes’ name was next on the programme, announced to sing ‘The Village Blacksmith’ (Longfellow) but was unable to attend. Miss Ruth Goddard supplied his place and sang ‘The day her mother died’ very nicely.
And here, aged 16, Ruth Veranna appears on Page 1 of the Ilkeston Pioneer !! ….
Ilkeston Pioneer Mar 22nd 1866
Handel’s Oratorio Judas Maccabæus at the United Methodist Free Church School Rooms, South Street, Ilkeston.
On Good Friday, March 30th, 1866.
The above oratorio will be performed in the Large Room, by the Chapel Choir, assisted by the following Professionals and Amateurs.
Mrs. Harrison and Miss Ruth Goddard, Soprano; Miss Shipsides, Alto; Mr. Adcock, Tenor; Mr. Essex, Bass; Principal Members of the Nottingham Sacred Harmonic Society.
Principal Instrumentalists include …
Violoncellos … Messrs. T. Tilson and J. Goddard sen.
Cornets … Mr. S Aldred and Mr. J. Goddard (Leader of the Ilkeston Brass Band)
The Orchestra to consist of upwards of 50 Performers
Ruth’s marriage on December 2nd 1867 at Christ Church, Cotmanhay, was to Henry Hoggard (sometimes Hoggarth) Beaumont of Bath Street, watchmaker, jeweller and dealer in musical instruments and himself an organist at St. Mary’s Church for several years.
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Henry Hoggard Beaumont (1841-1919)
Henry was born in Ollerton, Nottinghamshire, on May 20th, 1841, the son of tinner and brazier George and Mary Ann (nee Hoggard). He was baptised at Ollerton St. Giles’ Church as Henry Hoggard Beaumont on June 20th 1841 … and two years later, November 19th 1843, brother George Hoggard Beaumont, was baptised at the same church.
In 1861 and still living at Ollerton, Henry was present at the parish church of Warsop, about seven miles away for the opening of a new organ … … ‘a first class instrument (with) thirteen stops (and a) rich mellow tone’, built by Messrs. Bevington & Sons, of London. Although the instrument was played by Martin Bevington, master organ builder of London, he was aided by the Church Choir which was at that time was trained by Henry, who was also the church’s organist. The audience to this event was stuffed with local gentry, the ‘best families of the dukery‘.
In 1867 Henry set up his business in Ilkeston, at 31 Bath Street, as a jeweller and dealer in musical instruments … though he had kept a similar business in Warsop for a short time just before that. His Ilkeston shop was past Daykin’s Row and the Primitive Methodist Chapel, on the way up to the Market Place. On the 1871 Census it was number 31 Bath Street.
By 1881 Henry had moved across the road, to 95 Bath Street, just a few premises up from the Prince of Wales beerhouse, just after passing Smith’s Yard. In the late 1880’s there was a severe renumbering of the premises in Bath Street and Henry’s shop was now number 64. At this time Henry was a supplier of “German pianofortes and American organs and also … English pianofortes by the best makers. Also harmoniums and all kinds of instruments and fittings. Also clocks, watches and jewellery. … an authority on all matters relating to the best class of instruments”.
Retirement beckons
In 1872 HH had taken over the duties as senior organist and manager of the Church Choir at St. Mary’s Church although he had served as assistant organist to Percival Nuttall for several years prior to then. He had a genial and courteous nature and, accompanied by his untiring effort, he was regarded as a friend by the choir and congregation. In 1891 ill-health and his business commitments forced HH to give up his church responsibilities This led the adult members of the choir to present him with a testimonial – a life-sized bromide photograph of himself in a moulded oak frame, take by Messrs Seaman & Sons at their Ilkeston branch. The sitting for this photograph was delayed when HH became seriously ill once more and it was only in the following year that the presentation, by the Vicar, took place … by which time Edward J Chadfield of Derby had taken over HH’s musical responsibilities.
The accompanying inscription to the photo read — “Presented to Mr. H.H. Beaumont by the Vicar and adult members of S. Mary’s choir, Ilkeston, in token of their sincere regard, on his resignation of the office of organist at the Parish Church after 22 years untiring and faithful service. Michaelmas 1891.” In his speech the Rev. Muirhead hoped that HH would hand down his testimonial gift as an heirloom to his family … I wonder if he did ?
Here are Henry and Ruth, a young couple (from the family album of Jim Beardsley)
And I thank Pam Bates for more photos (below) from her family collection
Ruth Veranna Beaumont née Goddard
Henry Hoggard Beaumont
Henry and Ruth had ten children, the last one being daughter Frances Marie, born on October 14th 1890. She later married butcher George Henry Buckley, on December 3rd 1911 at Wharncliffe Road Congregational Church, and eventually settled to live in St. Mary Street.
George Henry (1886-1951) and Frances Marie Buckley (1890-1971)
At the end of the century Ruth and Henry Beaumont lived in the newly-built Vernon House at 87 Lord Haddon Road — which until recently (August 2014) served as the Register Office for Ilkeston.
Pam recalls …. my Mom said Ruth (her grandmother) was a wonderful pianist as well as a singer. Mom lived with her for awhile in Vernon House, when her mother and father went to South Africa. I read somewhere that Ruth also went away to play with ‘the band’.
They certainly were a musical family!
Henry died there on January 29th 1919, aged 77.
Ruth died on July 4th 1925, aged 75, at 42 St. Mary Street in Ilkeston … the home of her youngest child Frances Marie and her husband George Henry Buckley ? This was after a “long and painful illness”.
They are buried together in Park Cemetery, Ilkeston (Grave No. 10080)
Henry and Ruth relaxing in the garden of Vernon House, Lord Haddon Road behind them.
On Thursday August 26th 1899, Richard Holmes, an aged blacksmith and farrier who traded in Providence Place, was taking a pleasant stroll up Lord Haddon Road when he was suddenly gripped around the throat and dragged to the ground by a burly young assailant. The latter took a knife from his coat and ‘demanded of Mr. Holmes his money or his life’. Before Richard could make a decision, enter Henry Hoggard Beaumont !!
Sitting quietly in his home, the noise of the affray had attracted Henry’s attention. He left Vernon House to confront the assailant, squared up to him, threatening to hit him on the knuckles with his stick if he did not leave ‘the old gentleman’ alone. Ruth had followed her husband into the street and soon neighbour Edward Clayton joined them.
At this point the attacker — perhaps realising he was becoming seriously outnumbered — skulked away, muttering threats and oaths.
Thomas Davis of Trueman’s Court was later arrested, tried, convicted and fined for the assault.
And finally … the photo on the left is of a young woman, possibly Ruth Veranna … it has been passed to Pam from Jim Beardsley and his sister Madeleine (my thanks to both of them). Is it her ? What do you think ?
And here’s the full picture of the younger lady … Pam writes “Jumping to conclusions (as am prone to do), it looks like a certificate, or perhaps sheet music, that Ruth is holding in the photo. A special event to commemorate something.
“(As an aside, Mom said her grandmother taught her to spell “beautiful”! B-e-a-utiful ! )”
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A postcard between sisters, dated April 14th 1925.
This was forwarded to me by Pam Bates …. it was originally sent to her grandmother Gertie Beardsley (Maud Gertrude Beaumont, daughter of Ruth and Henry) in South Africa, from her sister Lillie, who was visiting Ilkeston from Canada for a short time. The card was bought at Bestwick’s shop in the Market Place.
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We can now continue the walk, and on to High Street Grand Tour
