Page 6(d,e)                    

June 7th, 1907

MR. AND MRS. JOHN

BRINSMEAD'S

70 YEARS' WEDDED LIFE

A notable event took place on Monday at Albert Road, Regent's Park, in celebration of the seventieth year of wedded bliss of Mr. John Brinsmead, founder and head of the pianoforte firm of that name, and of Mrs. Brinsmead. A great crowd of relatives. descendants, and friends came to offer them congratulations ; not only on that unique event, but on Mr. and Mrs. Brinsmead's attaining the ripe old age of ninety-two years and still going well and strong. There were no special invitation cards sent out ; everybody in the pianoforte business was aware that the esteemed and beloved doyen of the trade would be "at home" that day, with the best partner a man ever had, that it would be "open house," and that they would receive that hearty welcome characteristic of the generous old couple.

Shortly before four o'clock, carriages cabs and motor cars came whirling up to the door of 16, Albert Road, and Mr and Mrs Brinsmead, seated on a divan in one of the front drawing rooms, presented anything but the appearance of age-worn people. They looked hale and hearty, they had clear complexions, fresh colour, and eyes that were but little dimmed by the passage of time. Indeed, Mr. Brinsmead himself was hardly changed since the days, some years ago, when he was accustomed to drive up to the Town Hall in a hansom cab from Wigmore street and take his seat at the St. Pancras Board of Guardians. As he sat on the divan by the side of his wife, with a piece of orange blossom in his button hole, he looked the typical healthy old English gentleman of an optimistic nature. Mrs. Brinsmead presented an equally happy appearance in a black satin gown, and wearing a cap surmounted by a small white ostrich plume. She was smiling all the time. But it must have been a trying ordeal, albeit a pleasant one, to shake hands with some hundreds of people, and to say a kind word in acknowledgement of the hearty congratulations of their numerous well wishers and ardent admirers, yet there was a spontaneity of feeling about the whole event that was most charming. Nothing was rehearsed, everybody came, saw, and were conquered by the very ardent pleasure which it afforded the old people to receive their guests. Nor was it a perfunctory reception. As Miss Emily Brinsmead (whose excellent management of the unprecedented event was remarkable) presented each visitor to her aged father and mother, there was a cheery word of welcome from him, and a ready and happy smile from her. Each guest was presented with a blue and gold souvenir, with the monogram "S. and J. B., 1837-1907." Some were already adorned with the golden and diamond wedding medallions. The grand old people were surrounded by forty direct descendants, twelve belonging to the fourth generation, all the relatives in England being present except one. There were numbers of grand-children and great grand-children, the youngest being only six weeks old. The only touch of sadness about the day's proceedings was a photo of the late Mr. Thomas Brinsmead, one of the sons, who died in November last, which stood on a table framed in forget-me-nots, roses and maiden-hair fern. Attached to the photograph was a card bearing the words "With sincere congratulations from Lizzie and the children." Mr. and Mrs. Brinsmead received four hundred letters and one hundred telegrams from all parts of the world. Many came from Devonians, Mr. Brinsmead having been born in the little village of Wear Giffard, lying on the banks of the Torridge, between Bideford and Torrington.

CONGRATULATIONS FROM THE KING AND QUEEN

Specially gratifying it must have been to receive the following message from His Majesty King Edward VII:

"To Mr and Mrs John Brinsmead - The King has been informed that you celebrate to-day the seventieth anniversary of your wedding day. His Majesty commands me to congratulate you on this happy event, and to express his hope that notwithstanding you are both in your ninety-third year you will live to see many more such anniversaries."-(signed)

 KNOLLYS.

Return to John Brinsmead Page

Return to Home Page

Her Majesty the Queen wrote a private letter sending heartiest congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Brinsmead.

The following reply was dispatched:-

"Kindly convey to His Majesty, the King, our most sincere thanks for his gracious message. It gives us the greatest pleasure and happiness on our seventieth wedding day to know of His Majesty's goodwill. God Save the King. - John and Susan Brinsmead."

At five o'clock the fine old host and hostess despite their years and notwithstanding the cold atmosphere went downstairs into the garden, where an orchestra had been playing all afternoon. Here the employees, to the number of 30, had assembled, and the visitors followed to witness the interesting and eventful ceremonial, for which owing to the excellent arrangements made there was room for all, even for the ubiquitous stenographers and photographers.

As soon as Mr and Mrs Brinsmead had taken their seats an enormous basket of red and white roses were handed to them by a pretty little boy in a quaint white costume. Attached to the basket was a card addressed to Mrs Brinsmead wishing her sincere congratulations from the entire staff on her seventieth anniversary of her wedding. As Mr Brinsmead would not permit any gifts to be made by the employees this was a graceful tribute from them. The bonny little boy chosen to represent the staff was the grandson of Mr. Thomas Hall, the manager of the factory in Kentish Town.

Mr. Hall next presented each of the three hundred employees, and Mr. and Mrs. Brinsmead shook hands with them with the cheery word and happy smile which specially marked the auspicious occasion. As the procession filed past, each of the staff, wearing the blue and gold medallion, (pictured here, courtesy of Susan  Pengelly) was given the printed card programme of the day by the pretty little great-granddaughters. The card had imprinted on it a photo of the old couple, and the dates 1837-1907.

THE JOHN BRINSMEAD PROVIDENT FUND

Next came the inauguration of the John Brinsmead Provident fund, and the presentation of £10 each to old employees of over thirty-five years' service.

Miss Emily Brinsmead, speaking on behalf of her father, said that he was most anxious that this fund about to be started should be continued and made a prosperous thing. He wanted them to understand that whilst he gave them the £1,000 to start with, it was for themselves to to make the fund a success. He was willing to help them, if they would also help themselves. If at the end of five years the John Brinsmead Provident Fund was a success - if the employees made it a success - she (Miss Emily Brinsmead) would give another £1,000. Her father's first anxiety was for his people, and the family would do everything for his sake (cheers).

Miss Brinsmead then handed an envelope containing a cheque for £1,000 to Mr. Henry Billinghurst, the general manager of the firm, as first trustee of the Provident Fund.

Mr. Billinghurst, addressing the men, said: Miss Brinsmead has handed me a cheque for one thousand pounds to start your Provident Fund. I feel sure you will agree with me that we cannot express our thanks to Mr. Brinsmead sufficiently heartily (cheers).

The following employees of over thirty-five years' service were then presented, and each received a cheque for £10:- Messrs William Burbidge, James Bates, Alfred Kenton, Freak Tigg (a 51½ years veteran), George Abbott, John Dalstenne, A. Hathaway, George Allen, Oscar Palmer, John Walton, Robert Bull, Harry Ealand, T. Walters, and Thomas Quin.Each of the pleased recipients was cheered by their confrères, and the cheering was renewed again when Mr. Billinghurst read the telegram from the King, and the letter from the Queen.

Mr. Horace Brinsmead assured the staff that his father wished them every success, health and prosperity.

Photographs of the scene in the garden were then taken, and Mr. and Mrs. Brinsmead retired indoors. Just at the entrance to the house Mr. Brinsmead turned about, raised his glass and drank to the assembly's health and happiness. "God Bless you all" his final greeting.

It was six o'clock when The Wedding March was played, and Darby and Joan sung by Miss Agnes Tandy. Shortly afterwards the National Anthem brought the memorable meeting to a close. Ample provision was made for the entertainment of the visitors and staff, and everything went as merry as the wedding bells of seventy years ago.

In the evening 300 of the staff and their wives were entertained at the Camden theatre, and Miss Brinsmead subsequently regaled a number of Park keepers and attendants from the Zoological Gardens, and employees of tradesmen in the district, giving to each a monetary token of the happy event.

THE BRINSMEAD HISTORY.

St. Pancras past and present and the pianoforte industry for all time is indelibly associated with the name Brinsmead. Mr John Brinsmead is the "father of the modern pianoforte" having made more improvements in it than any other man. His father was a well-to-do farmer in Devonshire, and always wanted his son to succeed him but the son's mechanical bent asserted itself, and he learned cabinet-making in his native village. Later, in 1835, he came to London with the set purpose of founding a pianoforte firm. His elder brother was in business as a pianoforte maker, and John joined him in a partnership; but this arrangement was not very much to the energetic young man's liking, so he dissolved the partnership, and took a place in Windmill street, Tottenham Court road, where he laid the foundations of the great business of John Brinsmead and Sons Limited. Then straightway he entered into his second and last partnership. On June 3rd, 1837. Just before Queen Victoria ascended the throne, he married Susan Brown, daughter of an officer of the 92nd Highlanders, who fought with Abercrombie in Egypt. Mr. Brinsmead had many difficulties to encounter and overcome, and many losses to face. Once his factory was burnt down, and the blow was almost overwhelming. But he had successes, too, and he won a reputation as a manufacturer of the highest class, and also a man of unimpeachable integrity. Slowly at first, but always surely, the business grew. Its home was moved to Charlotte street, then to Chenies street, and at last, to keep pace with its growing dimensions, a huge factory, several times enlarged, was built at Kentish Town, and the showrooms were erected at Wigmore street. The Brinsmead piano is unexcelled today, and the output of the firm is estimated 80,000 pianos. In all the years which have elapsed Mr. Brinsmead has taken the keenest interest in his worldwide business, and even when the burden of years became heavy, he was still to be found "voicing" his pianos - his "ear" being exquisitely sensitive. He has ever been zealous for the welfare of all associated with him in his work, and his staff regard him as the most kind and considerate employer.

Transcribed by Brinsmead Research Group member Chris Willis