| James Read | [1786 - 1858] | FFMFFF |
Born: 27 January 1786
Baptismal Entry:
Father: William Read
Mother: Frances Butcher
| Date | 26 February 1786 |
| Where | Hampstead MDX St John |
| Text | "James son of Wm and Frances Read born 27 Jan, bapt Feb 26 1786" |
Siblings:
Leeds City police was not recognised as a formally established police force until April 1836. Prior to that date there were police officers in Leeds in the form of 'Parish Constables' and 'The Watch'. A small group of Parish Constables, could have as their boss a 'Head Constable', a 'Superintendent', a 'Sergeant' or a 'Chief Officer' (Constable).
Edward Read was promoted to be the second Head (Chief) Constable of the Leeds City Police on 8th December 1837, and stayed in office until 1 January 1859.
William Read's will, dated 29 October 1839 lists these children and grandchildren:
| Name | Age | born MDX? |
|---|---|---|
| Robert Read | 42 | No |
| Maria Read | 40 | No |
| Edward Read | 13 | Yes |
| Mary Read | 11 | Yes |
| Charles Read | 10 | Yes |
| Ellen Read | 8 | Yes |
| Robert Read | 5 | Yes |
| Maria Read | 3 | Yes |
| Ann Read | 1 month | Yes |
but this may be coincidence: Robert, being born outside MDX, is unlikely to be William's son; and if he were, the lack of any mention of other family members in the will is curious.
Married: Mary Pasteur, 19 July 1816
Marriage Entry:
| Church | Paddington St James |
| Date | 19 July 1816 |
| Name | James Read |
| Of | this parish bachelor |
| and Name | Mary Pasteur |
| Of | this parish spinster |
| By | Banns |
| Witnesses | Mr. Hamon, Sarah Read |
Children:
His son, N. Read, sent a letter from The Sea Bathing Infirmary at Margate in 1829.
|
Mrs Read
32 Wyndham Street Bryaston Square |
|
Margate 12th Sept 1829
Dear Father and Mother,
I received your letter to day, and I should have written before, only, that I was anxious to get settled in the Infirmary, and since that I have waited hoping to send you favourable account; and it was not until I had been there a few days that I could judge. However I think I may venture to say that these last two days I have been better. I have left off formenting the parts with warm Sea water, as it caused great irritation, and I now have simple dressings to it which is healing it very fast. I also take some drops three times a day in water, which I think disperses the hard swelling but I cannot judge of that very well yet. I take the warm Bath three times a week. We get up on those mornings before half past 5, and on others at 6 a 'Clock, we go into the Hall at 8, when a Prayer is said by the Steward, and also before Supper, we dine at 1, on Sundays off Roast Beef, and Mutton alternately. They have good meat, legs of Mutton, and Shoulders and Prime pieces of Beef. The Breakfasts are sometimes Milk Gruel, and others Water do - but I have Tea except on Sunday when it is Milk. The Suppers are Rice Milk and Broth, and on Saturday and Sunday night Bread and Cheesse and Table Beer, of which we have a Pint every day at dinner, but it is very bad. We are requested if able to go to Church on Sunday, and are allowed to go to Margate by obtaining leave from the Steward, but I have not been except last Sunday and to day. |
| I saw Mr. Turner this morning and he has also called upon me twice. Mrs. Dodsworths servants are very kind to me, and Miss Do has lent me two books to read. I did not get into the Infirmary the day I expected, and by when I had paid my Lodging and other little things I found myself very poor, But Mr. Turner told me you wished him to advance me some, so he has given me another sovereign, which I hope will be sufficient. I am happy to say I am very comfortable here, and find every kindness shown me. I am glad to hear Father has been successful in getting the job for the Countess, and I hope it may prove a very profitable one. I am sorry to hear of my Brother James' attack, which must have been very serious at the time, but I hope that it has entirely left him. Mr. Turner leaves here on Tuesday, and I believe will be in London soon. He has told the Steward that I can assist in the School, for there is one for an hour every day among the little Children. My Throat has been sore this day or two, and I have bought a little piece of flannel for the air is very keen here being in an open place; it is called Westbrook for every bunch of houses here have a name if there were only three. I shall now conclude hoping that you are all in good health and give my respects to all friends. I shall write as often as you have desired and and before should any thing particular happen. Direct for me Margate Sea Bathing |
|
Infirmary No 9 Ward.
I remain |
Died: 11 March 1858, Wyndham Street, Marylebone Gravestone
Death Certificate:
| Registration District | Marylebone |
| in the Sub-District of | St Mary |
| in the County of | Middlesex |
| When and where died | 11 March 1858, 32 Wyndham Street |
| Name and Surname | James Read |
| Sex | Male |
| Age | 74 years |
| Occupation | Independent |
| Cause of death | Decay of Nature, certified |
| Informant | James Read, in attendance, 32 Wyndham Street Marylebone |
| When Registered | 17 March 1858 |
Burial Entry:
| Church | Hampstead |
| Date | 19 March 1858 |
| Name | James Read |
| Residence | St Marylebone |
Will:
This is the last Will and Testament of me James Read of 2nd 32 Wyndham Street, Marylebone in the County of Middlesex Gentleman
In the first place I desire to be buried in my private grave in the burial ground of the Church of St Johns Wood Marylebone and in the next place I desire that my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses be paid and satisfied as soon as may be after my decease.
I give and bequeath all my household goods furniture plate china and other effects (except the watch hereafter mentioned) which shall be in or about my house at the time of my decease unto my grandson James Read absolutely.
I give and bequeath my small silver watch unto Thomas Bartlett the younger now residing at Drury Ln.
I give and bequeath unto each of my grandchildren (namely) to the said James Read and to Lucy Read, William Read, Fanny Read and Harry Read the sum of ten pounds.
I give devise and bequeath all that my copyhold house grounds and premises called South End House situated in Pond Street Hampstead in the County of Middlesex and also all that my leasehold house situate and being 2nd 30 Sherborne Street Blandford Square in the said County and also all that my real and personal estate to which I am entitled at the time of my decease, except what I have disposed of by this my will or shall do by any codicil thereto, unto my illegitimate son James Read of 14 Wyndham Street aforesaid carpenter to hold the same to him his heirs executors administrators and assigns absolutely.
And I appoint him sole Executor of this my will and hereby revoking all former and other Wills and Testamentary Dispositions by me at any time heretofore made I declare this alone to be my last Will and Testament in Witness thereof I have to this my last Will set my hand this twenty sixth day of May one thousand eight hundred and fifty four - James Read
Signed by the said James Read as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us both present at the same time who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as Witnesses - Fras Robinson, 48 Conduit Street Hanover Square - James Cordery of the same place his Clerk.
Proved at London 26th May 1858 by the oath of James Read the sole executor to whom probate was granted.
The copyhold South End House in Pond Street Hampstead is not mentioned in the Records of Hampstead Manor (GLRO E/MW/H/I). However, the term Pond Street was used for the entire area ("POND-STREET, a hamlet in the parish of Hampstead, county Middlesex, 4 miles N.W. of St. Paul's, London." The National Gazetteer of Great Britain and Ireland, 1868), and census records suggest South End House may have been built on South End Farm, which was the property of the Dean and Chapter of Westminster. The house itself was tenemented some time before 1848, and housed multiple households at the time of the 1851 and 1861 census: it does not appear in the 1841 census, but there was a Read family living on South End Green.
His father's will, dated 2 October 1839, refers to two copyhold houses at 2 and 8 South End Green, so it is likely one of these became "South End House"
Probate: 26 May 1858
Directories:
| 1837: Robsons London | J Read, carpenter, 32 Wyndham Street |
| 1838: Pigots London | J Read, carpenter, 32 Wyndham Street |
| 1844: Thompsons London | John Read, carpenter, 32 Wyndham Street |
| 1848: Post Office London | James Read sr, carpenter, 32 Wyndham Street |
Address:
| 1837 (map dated 1827) - 1838 - 1841 - 1851 - 1844 - 1848 - 1858 | (2nd) 32 Wyndham Street, Marylebone (map dated 1874) |
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