20 November 1855
The Vestry was convened according to the following notice, dated 23 October 1855:
We, the undersigned churchwardens of the Parish of St Mary in the County of Surrey hereby give notice that we appoint the 20th day of November 1855 for the first election of Vestrymen under the provisions of the Act of Parliament for the better local management of the Metropolis.
The Parishioners duly qualified according to the provisions of the Act passed in the 18th and 19th years of the reign of Queen Victoria, entitled ‘An Act for the better Local Management of the Metropolis’, are hereby required to meet at the old Infant School Room, Green Lane Road, on Thursday 20 November at 10 o’clock in the forenoon … to consider of and elect fit and proper persons to be Vestrymen and Auditors of Accounts of the parish of Saint Mary Battersea, that is to say: Twenty-four Members of the Vestry; Five Auditors of Accounts.
60 were present. Two lists of names were proposed. Names were taken seriatim, and the greatest number of hands held up for a name would constitute the Vestry.
So on 20 November 1855 began a new era in Battersea of local government — or ‘management’ as it was described in the Act which had passed through Parliament in the Summer Session.
Battersea in 1851 was home to a population as yet insufficient to justify a discrete administrative unit; the parish was consequently united with others to form an area ‘managed’ by a District Board. To provide representatives on that Board, a local body of ‘fit and proper Vestrymen’ was needed, to be chosen from the ‘duly qualified’ parishioners. In Battersea, because fewer than one sixth of the ratepayers were rated at £40 or more, ratepayers paying £25 were eligible to elect Vestrymen.
The make-up of the electorate was varied. Around the edges of the Commons in south Battersea, bankers and businessmen made the daily journey to the City. For some, travelling through areas inhabited by the less fortunate made an impact and prompted them to act constructively for the benefit of the disadvantaged in their own parish. Others were more inward-looking and self-seeking.
Vestryman Election: Results
| Name | Votes | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Alder, George | 54 | 1 |
| Baker, William Garrad | 35 | 13 |
| Bass, George | 34 | 14= |
| Bridge, William | 39 | 9= |
| Brocking, Robert William | 32 | 16= |
| Curtis, William Benjamin | 29 | 21 |
| Everett, Samuel Charles | 31 | 18 |
| Graham, Bernard John | 36 | 11= |
| Griffin, James Sear | 40 | 8 |
| Hart, Jacob | 39 | 9= |
| Hewer, William | 46 | 4= |
| Juer, Henry | 46 | 4= |
| Noble, James | 50 | 2 |
| Pain, Edward | 48 | 3 |
| Parsons, Francis | 28 | 22= |
| Passmore, William Henry | 32 | 16= |
| Picking, William | 46 | 4= |
| Poupart, Samuel | 45 | 7 |
| Reynolds, Thomas Andrew Fitzgerald | 30 | 19= |
| Sellar, Frederick | 28 | 22= |
| Smith, Samuel, Sen. | 34 | 14= |
| Smith, Samuel | 30 | 19= |
| Spencer, Robert Peter | 28 | 22= |
| Woods, William | 36 | 11= |
Five persons signified in writing their assent to serve as Auditors of Accounts for 1855–57:
Resolved that they ‘be elected Auditors of Accounts for this Parish under the provisions of the 18th and 19th Victoria cap. 120’.
28 November 1855
12 persons elected by Vestry for the District Board (plus the Vicar):
| Name | Votes |
|---|---|
| Picking, William | 23 |
| Poupart, Samuel | 21 |
| Juer, Henry | 20 |
| Sellar, Frederick | 19 |
| Griffin, James | 14 |
| Noble, James | 14 |
| Pain, Edward | 14 |
| Curtis, W. B. | 13 |
| Hart, Jacob | 13 |
| Hewer, William | 13 |
| Reynolds, T. A. O. | 13 |
17 December 1855
Retirement years determined by lot:
| 1857 | 1858 | 1859 |
|---|---|---|
| Hart | Hewer | Graham |
| Noble | Reynolds | Sellar |
| Juer | Poupart | Curtis |
| Griffin | Pain | Picking |
No meetings recorded in 1856.
3 April 1857
18 present. Business: (a) to make a list of fit and proper persons to be Overseers for 1857–58; (b) to determine by lot the Vestrymen to retire in May 1857, 1858 and 1859.
| Out May 1857 | May 1858 | May 1859 |
|---|---|---|
| Pain | Griffin | Woods |
| Parsons | Everett | Picking |
| Baker | Brocking | Smith |
| Bridge * | Hart | Spencer |
| Bass | Passmore | Sellar |
| Reynolds * | Smith, Sear | Graham |
| Curtis * | Hewer | Alder |
| Noble | Poupart | Juer |
* Subsequently re-elected.
8 May 1857
11 present. Date set for election of 8 Vestrymen and 5 Auditors.
29 May 1857
50 present. Two lists presented; not to be taken seriatim but put list against list. After a division, List No. 1 was carried:
* Also on List 2.
List 2 had comprised: Finch, Geo.; Broad, Jonas; Baker, Wm G.; Curtis, W. B.; Parsons, Francis; Powis; Denny, Thos R.; Gwill, Wm.
Auditors elected for 1857–58: George Ayles, Henry Crane, George Finch, Michael Dowden, John White.
3 June 1857
15 present. Election of Vestry representatives to the Wandsworth District Board of Works:
| Name | Votes | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Alder, George | 7 | Not re-elected |
| Bridge, William | 9 | Elected |
| Griffin, James | 11 | Re-elected |
| Hart, Jacob | 6 | Not re-elected |
| Juer, Henry | 15 | Re-elected |
| Neate, Stephen | 9 | Elected |
| Parsons, Henry | 2 | Not elected |
24 August 1857
Auditor of the South West Metropolitan Audit District mentioned.
6 April 1858
20 present. Auditors elected for 1858–59: Allder, Bowes, Juer, Witford Nichols, Bridge.
Roger Logan notes a query as to whether this election was legally conducted, as it was entered in the wrong minute book.
23 April 1858
16 present. (a) Election of Vestrymen and Auditors set for 27 May 1858. (b) Burial Board: agreed that one third of the Board retires each year on 24 March, with 2 Auditors (not Board members) also elected at that meeting.
5 May 1858
16 present. Burial Board Auditors: (1) Henry Juer, James Purdy — 10 votes; (2) George Finch and T. Hardy — 4 votes.
27 May 1858
102 present. (a) Election of 9 Vestrymen; (b) election of 5 Auditors.
Names not recorded in the original notes.
29 November 1858
County Rate assessment reviewed (original assessment dated 1836). Rates applicable:
Seventeen parishes in East Surrey under the Metropolitan Board of Works were subject to special taxation. A Committee report confirmed that Battersea’s ratepayers had been overcharged. Over-assessment in the Wandsworth District Board of Works area:
| Parish | Over-assessment |
|---|---|
| Battersea | 13.25% |
| Wandsworth | 13.50% |
| Tooting | 8.50% |
| Streatham | 4.00% |
| Clapham | 3.75% |
| Putney | 0.75% |
21 January 1860
No details recorded in the original notes.
Date uncertain — re-election to Wandsworth District Board of Works
Members retiring in order:
2 August 1862
Motion to adopt the Act to prevent holding of Vestry or other meetings in Churches (13 & 14 Vict. cap. 57). Carried 12–3.
For: Simmonds, Poupart, Alder, Purdy, Webster, Broad, Walton, Juer, Ayles, Pemberton, Clark, Burney.
Against: Neate, Payne, Trott.
Overseers authorised to provide an office for the transaction of parish business.
26 August 1862
Expenses at the late election of Vestrymen ordered for payment: police attendance £1 18s. 6d.; printing of notice 8s. 6d. Referred to Overseers to pay out of the Poor Rate.
Auditors’ report on the Burial Board: 506 deaths in the parish during the year; 241 buried (118 adults, 35 children).
28 October 1862
Committee report received and passed to Guardians. Letter re: Surrey and Sussex Roads: the local Act for the Trust was limited by the Annual Turnpike Acts Continuation Act 1862 to 1 November 1863. Expenses in Battersea of maintaining the road in 1861 (exclusive of salaries, land charges and incidentals): £404. Length of road: approximately 1 mile, 2 furlongs, 140 yards.
25 May 1863
Election of 8 members of the Vestry and 5 Auditors. Note: ratepayers only eligible to be present in the body of the hall. Two lists proposed. After debate, names were taken seriatim by show of hands.
Elected for three years:
| Name | Description | Votes |
|---|---|---|
| Walton | Gentleman | 24 |
| Webster | Gentleman | 23 |
| Juer | Gentleman | 23 |
| Simmonds | Gentleman | 22 |
| Ayles | Glass cutter | 20 |
| Hewer | Gentleman | 19 |
| Pemberton | Grocer | 16 |
| Duce | Waterproof manufacturer | 15 |
Not elected: Soule 5 votes, Paine 2 votes.
Auditors elected:
3 June 1863
17 present. Election of Board of Works members. Retiring: Broad*, Juer*, J. Purdy, Walton* (* eligible for re-election). Ballot:
| Name | Votes | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Juer | 16 | Elected * |
| Walton | 16 | Elected * |
| Broad | 8 | Elected * |
| Simmonds | 8 | Elected * |
| Burney | 6 | |
| Sargant | 5 | |
| Ayles | 1 | |
| Duce | 1 | |
| Seldon | 1 | |
| Sellar | 2 | |
| Brocking, Gammon, Ing, Pemberton, Walter | 0 |
* Elected for three years.
23 May 1864
56 attended in Lammas Hall. 19 names put forward for 8 places.
Names and Auditor results not recorded in the original notes.
1 June 1864
15 present. Show of hands used in lieu of ballot.
22 May 1865
64 present. Hewer had died. Retiring: Broad, Burney, Downey, George Payne, Poupart, N. Purdy, Seldon, Sellar. Elected for three years:
Elected for one year: Samuel Lathoy.
Auditors elected: Charles Lambert (Gentleman), John P. Turner (Gentleman), George Bass (Builder), Charles Noakes (Wharfinger), Henry F. Huntley (Victualler).
Buckmaster commented from the floor: ‘There had only been 3 meetings during the last 12 months.’ Another speaker observed that ‘the roads of Battersea had been in a most disgraceful state ever since he had known it. A gentleman coming to take his house, his wife’s dress and boots got muddy, and of course he got disgusted and would not come to the neighbourhood.’
17 June 1865
13 present. Representatives on District Board of Works retiring: Downey, Payne, Poupart, Purdy. Agreed to hold a ballot rather than a show of hands. Elected: Todd (7 votes), Spooner (10), Poupart (9), Purdy (11).
14 May 1866
101 present. Election of 22 Vestrymen and 5 Auditors. Retiring: George Ayles, William Duce, Henry Juer, Samuel Lathey, Joseph Pemberton, George Simmonds, James Walton, Alexander Webster. Meeting adjourned to Monday 28 May.
28 May 1866
140 present. Number of Vestrymen to be increased from 24 to 36, the rated householders now exceeding 2,000. Poll of the parish fixed for Tuesday 29 May. Auditors elected: George Bass (Builder), Charles Lambert (Gentleman), Henry Huntley, J. Stubbs, John G. Brown.
6 June 1866
Election to Wandsworth Board of Works by show of hands (not ballot). Retiring: Broad, Simmonds, Walton, Juer. Elected for 3 years: Turner, Walton, Young, Simmonds. Elected for 1 year: Acomb.
The proceedings of the 1866 Select Committee on Metropolitan Local Government include quotations from both Buckmaster and A. Corsellis.
22 May 1867
Report from the South London Press: the meeting was held ‘with the purpose of choosing Vestrymen for the ensuing year.’ The paper observed that after two hours of debate the meeting had never got past the confirmation of the minutes of the May 1866 election, and ‘eventually became so confused that neither clerk, chairman, reporters nor audience could tell exactly what subject was under discussion.’
Two main strands of conflict were apparent: one between the elected Vestrymen and the general body of ratepayers; the other a sustained antagonism between J. C. Buckmaster and the Vestry Clerk, A. Corsellis (who was also Clerk to the Wandsworth District Board of Works). Buckmaster, supported by Acomb, attacked the accuracy of the May 1866 minutes as prepared by Corsellis.
Bridge remarked that ‘knowing something of the way in which the affairs of the parish of Battersea went on he became disgusted and retired from the Vestry. It was high time some change took place.’ C. W. Todd had ‘taken a special train from the Isle of Wight to come up again.’
The meeting dispersed without reaching a conclusion, after a third show of hands on a motion was declared passed.
‘The Battersea folks had another turn at baiting the Vestry Clerk on Monday, and kept it up so long that, after two hours’ talk, they had not even confirmed the minutes of a meeting in May 1866. For once Mr Corsellis’s imperturbable obstinacy yielded slightly to Mr Buckmaster’s virtuous indignation.’ As if by good fortune for Buckmaster, ‘the fact cropped out that not long since the parish had an auditor of accounts who could neither read nor write.’
27 May 1867 (reconvened)
56 ratepayers attended. Once again the issue of the incomplete minutes was raised and the proceedings were continuously thwarted. George Todd stated that he was ‘opposed to the Vestry Clerk as strongly as any man’ but ‘wanted to see fair play.’ Acomb, who had supported Buckmaster at the previous meeting, now turned on him: ‘It’s only spleen you’ve got against Mr Corsellis.’ He further alleged that it was Buckmaster who had secured Corsellis’s services as Vestry Clerk. Buckmaster replied: ‘If I was the slightest degree instrumental in bringing Mr Corsellis into the parish I deeply regret it.’
The meeting trooped out of the hall, leaving the election of Vestrymen to stand over until 1868.
For Buckmaster, in his campaign to oust Corsellis, the lack of a full Vestry complement of 36 (depleted by some sixteen members) may well have been an intended objective. Earlier that year, in March, he had been selected Churchwarden by the annual meeting of the church vestry. In this capacity he was eligible to serve as an ex-officio member of the elected Vestry, and indeed could be asked to act as Chairman — enabling him to sustain his efforts against Corsellis.
In terms of democracy, the next twelve months were unsatisfactory. Eleven meetings were convened, but seven were inquorate at the opening, and a further two quickly became so after Vestrymen departed. The Vestry did manage at its June meeting to elect four Wandsworth District Board of Works representatives, but little else of any significance was transacted.
Of the dispute between Buckmaster and Corsellis there is no detailed record between May 1867 and May 1868; it must be presumed that hostilities continued.
25 May 1868
73 present. Because of the previous year’s hiatus, 27 vacant Vestry posts needed filling. Retiring: Acomb, Austin, William Baker, Beauchamp, Broad, Evill, Flaxman, Gerrard, Poupart, N. Purdy, Sellar, G. Todd. Two lists presented. Poll demanded and fixed for the following day, Tuesday 26 May 1868.
Results of the poll:
| List | Votes |
|---|---|
| Buckmaster’s list | 114 |
| Webster’s list | 23 |
Evidence of the influence that Buckmaster had developed is clear by the time of the May 1868 elections. His list received 114 votes against Webster’s 23. The turnout was small relative to the total number of eligible electors, but at least some semblance of democratic proceedings had been re-introduced into Battersea’s local government. Success for Buckmaster in this was followed by the election of four members from his list to represent Battersea on the Wandsworth District Board of Works.
17 August 1868
A Committee established ‘to enquire into the present mode of conducting the business of the Vestry’. The Committee was instructed to ‘employ a competent gentleman to examine the following parochial accounts — the Church Rate Accounts, the Local Rate Accounts, the Poor Rate Accounts and the Charity Accounts — since the date of the appointment of the Vestry Clerk, and also into the present method of keeping the parish accounts.’
In August 1868 Buckmaster introduced his coup de grâce. The Committee was shortly instructed to employ a public accountant to examine the parochial accounts since the date of Corsellis’s appointment. Events moved quickly: in October the Vestry approved the appointment of Mr Charles Gray, a public accountant of 10 Sergeants’ Inn, from 25 August 1868 at a remuneration of £2 per item.
10 November 1868
Resolved nem con that the Conservative Committee be allowed the use of the Vestry Room on polling day.
8 December 1868
J. C. Buckmaster present. Resolved that he should take the Chair (as Churchwarden).
24 May 1869
Elections. A. MacKay had left the parish (had been elected to 1871); J. P. Turner elected for 2 years. Elected for three years: W. G. Baker, F. R. Bartolacci, Thomas Dives, James Crosby, Thomas D. Keighley, Paul Oppitz, James Lord, Robert Eary, Stephen Shepherd, Henry Kesterton, Frederick Wix, D. W. Young. Auditors elected: George Bass, John G. Brown, Alex Webster.
2 June 1869
Wandsworth District Board of Works representatives elected: J. P. Turner, Thomas D. Keighley, D. W. Young, Stephen Shepherd.
22 June 1869
Meeting called by Buckmaster as Churchwarden. A letter from the Poor Law Board was read announcing their consent to ‘the removal of Mr Corsellis from the Office of Vestry Clerk of the Parish.’ A committee was appointed to report on the merits of candidates for the post: Buckmaster, Francis Bartolacci, Richard Hadfield, J. Peacock Turner and Hugh Wallace.
In June 1869 Buckmaster, as Churchwarden now in his third period of office, called a Vestry meeting to read the Poor Law Board’s letter consenting to the removal of Corsellis. The campaign was won. Immediately a process began, with Buckmaster to the fore, to select a new Vestry Clerk.
8 July 1869
70 present. Candidates for the new Vestry Clerkship:
| Candidate | Votes |
|---|---|
| Harrap, T. | 13 |
| Turner, J. P. | 10 |
| Wood, P. | 10 |
| Costaker, C. | 9 |
Costaker was eliminated; Turner and Wood then withdrew. Thomas Harrap appointed as Vestry Clerk.
13 January 1870
Letter from the Battersea Ratepayers Association about the assessment of rates referred to Churchwardens and Overseers.
No record of the 1870 Vestry and Auditor elections.
16 May 1870
Separate lists combined by committee into a single list of candidates:
15 May 1871 — Election of Vestrymen
Elected for 3 years:
| Name | Votes |
|---|---|
| Robert Miller | 111 |
| William Bridge | 105 |
| George Reed | 103 |
| George N. Paine | 100 |
| James Chorley | 87 |
| Nathaniel Purdy | 86 |
| William H. Kempster | 85 |
| Alfred Maynard | 83 |
| Joseph Oakman | 83 |
| Henry Elliott | 83 |
| Henry Osborne | 77 |
| Joshua Kaley | 73 |
Elected for one year (to fill vacancies):
| Name | Votes |
|---|---|
| William Duce | 72 |
| Hugh Wallace | 65 |
| William Haynes | 63 |
Auditor names not recorded in the original notes.
7 June 1871 — Election of District Board of Works members
Cleave re-elected to the Board after having resigned. Six proposed; maximum 13 votes. Elected: Wallace, Miller, Purdy, Kempster.
10 May 1872
12 Vestrymen to be replaced and 5 Auditors. 27 candidates for Vestrymen.
Names not recorded in the original notes.
Auditors elected: George Bass, James Bennett, James Peacock.
5 June 1872
Election of members of District Board of Works by show of hands. Elected: William Duce (16 votes), C. W. Todd (16), George Durrant (14), William Gerrard (10). Not elected: Charles Eccles, John Lucey.
8 August 1872
Question of splitting the parish into wards. Vote 11 to 1 in favour of 4 wards. Also proposed to increase Battersea’s representatives on the District Board to 33, and the total Board membership to 81.
24 October 1872
Rated householders: 5,250. Population and housing statistics:
| Year | Population | Houses |
|---|---|---|
| 1861 | 19,600 | 3,125 |
| 1871 | 53,988 | 7,845 |
Unoccupied houses in 1871: 1,566 (16% of total). Apportionment of parish representation could be based on: (1) rated householders; (2) rateable value; or (3) inhabited houses.
13 March 1873
Letter received from the Metropolitan Board of Works advising of the division of the parish and the reallocation of Battersea’s representatives on the District Board. From April 1873 Battersea had 30 representatives on the Board, across 4 wards.
Ward election results partially recorded; Auditors: Chas. E. Holmes (80 Bridge Road); Jas. Peacock (The Priory, Battersea Square); James Burnett (Battersea Square); Edward Spencer (2 Spencer Road).
Of those elected in 1871: Swonneel, Miller, Maynard, Osborne, Paine not re-elected. Of those elected in 1870: only Brown, Condes, T. R. Denny, Thorne re-elected.
Minutes of the Battersea Local Committee of the District Board of Works are available from 1873.
August 1873
W. Payne of No. 4 Ward resigned.
Increased local representation sought on: the London School Board (Lambeth Division); the Wandsworth and Clapham Union Board of Guardians; Sir Walter St John’s School.
20 August 1885
Motion for the removal of Thomas Harrap for ‘neglect of duty’. He was forced to resign, his letter stating: ‘I hereby resign my office as Vestry Clerk on account of ill health.’ His address: 2 Crown Villas, Lavender Hill. He had served as Clerk for 16 years.
1 October 1885
75 applications received for the vacancy.
12 November 1885
The following Vestrymen, identified as possible radicals elected in 1882, voted against the award of superannuation to T. Harrap:
Superannuation of £93 6s. 8d. per annum was nonetheless voted to Harrap, to be paid from the Poor Rate.
Byworth served as Clerk until 1893, when he obtained the appointment of Town Clerk of Cape Town.
William Marcus Wilkins was appointed Vestry Clerk in 1893.
In 1887 Burntwood Grange was ordered to be sold.
Source: Battersea Vestry Minute Books. Extracts and notes by Roger Logan; editorial clarifications by Sean Creighton. Prepared for the History of Wandsworth Common.