JOHN HENRY JOHNSON
(1827-1900)
by Caroline Sherwood
(1827-1900)
by Caroline Sherwood
‘He was a kind and just man, and a firm and most trustworthy friend,
and his death is deeply lamented by all who knew him.’
The Engineer, 30 March 1900
and his death is deeply lamented by all who knew him.’
The Engineer, 30 March 1900
Early Life
John Henry Johnson was born in Kendal on 27 July 1827. His father, James Johnson, (born 1796, also in Kendal), married Ann Yate, on 28 March 1819. James’ parents were William Johnson and Agnes Airey (both born 1760). John Henry’s father died young [i] so he and his two elder brothers had to make their way as best they could. As a young man, John Henry was articled to a Kendal solicitor, Mr John Harrison. [ii]
John Henry Johnson was born in Kendal on 27 July 1827. His father, James Johnson, (born 1796, also in Kendal), married Ann Yate, on 28 March 1819. James’ parents were William Johnson and Agnes Airey (both born 1760). John Henry’s father died young [i] so he and his two elder brothers had to make their way as best they could. As a young man, John Henry was articled to a Kendal solicitor, Mr John Harrison. [ii]
London, Edinburgh and Glasgow
John Henry moved to London and became conveyancing clerk to Messrs. Cookson and Wainwright of Lincoln’s Inn Fields. [iii] From there he left and went to join his eldest brother, William, in Glasgow. In 1846 he set up the firm of Johnsons of Edinburgh and, from 1850, the law practice of John Henry Johnson was operating in London and Glasgow as well. He appears to have retained his links with Kendal as he was appointed Secretary of the Westmorland Society in March 1851 during a meeting held at the London Tavern. [iv]
John Henry’s elder brother, William, was an engineer and editor of Practical Mechanics’ Journal and he had started up in business in Glasgow as a patent agent. The Scottish firm of Johnson’s still operates today in Stafford Street in Edinburgh; tracing its ancestry back - from John Henry Johnson, to his son James Yate Johnson, his grandson Christopher Johnson and his great grandson Edward Johnson. [v]
It was not long, though, before John Henry returned to London and set up as solicitor and patent agent at 47 Lincoln’s-Inn-Fields. The area around Chancery Lane and Lincoln’s Inn was heavily bombed during the World War II and new buildings stand on the site of the early business.
John Henry moved to London and became conveyancing clerk to Messrs. Cookson and Wainwright of Lincoln’s Inn Fields. [iii] From there he left and went to join his eldest brother, William, in Glasgow. In 1846 he set up the firm of Johnsons of Edinburgh and, from 1850, the law practice of John Henry Johnson was operating in London and Glasgow as well. He appears to have retained his links with Kendal as he was appointed Secretary of the Westmorland Society in March 1851 during a meeting held at the London Tavern. [iv]
John Henry’s elder brother, William, was an engineer and editor of Practical Mechanics’ Journal and he had started up in business in Glasgow as a patent agent. The Scottish firm of Johnson’s still operates today in Stafford Street in Edinburgh; tracing its ancestry back - from John Henry Johnson, to his son James Yate Johnson, his grandson Christopher Johnson and his great grandson Edward Johnson. [v]
It was not long, though, before John Henry returned to London and set up as solicitor and patent agent at 47 Lincoln’s-Inn-Fields. The area around Chancery Lane and Lincoln’s Inn was heavily bombed during the World War II and new buildings stand on the site of the early business.
Marriage to Frances Lawson
On 16 September 1856, John Henry married Frances Lawson (1835-1925) at Christ Church, Forest Hill. [vi] He was 29 and she was 21. This marriage was witnessed by William Lawson (the bride’s father, a wine merchant) and James Johnson the groom’s brother. [vii].
On 16 September 1856, John Henry married Frances Lawson (1835-1925) at Christ Church, Forest Hill. [vi] He was 29 and she was 21. This marriage was witnessed by William Lawson (the bride’s father, a wine merchant) and James Johnson the groom’s brother. [vii].
Professional Success
‘Mr Johnson was a man of very great ability, and would have made his mark in whatever walk of life he had found himself. He had wonderful organising powers and was a man of very quick, and, at the same time, remarkably sound judgment.’ [viii]
Eventually the London branch outgrew the original and continued to prosper. John Henry went into partnership with his sons, James Yate and George William and Mr Benjamin Willcox (who was still carrying on the business in 1900). John Henry became senior partner in both firms - J.H. and J.Y., solicitors as well as Johnson and Willcox, patent agents.
Indeed, John H. Johnson was one of the first specialist patent agents in England and became the founding President of the Institute of Patent Agents [ix] on its formation in 1882.
His obituary in The Engineer draws attention to the significance of the mark he made upon his chosen field: ‘His name will be remembered in connection with many important cases, notably the paraffin-oil case in 1864 – which occupied Vice Chancellor Stuart for twenty-nine days – the sewing machine litigation in the sixties, and later on the great aniline dye and colour cases. No one who was associated with Mr Johnson in this class of business could fail to be struck by the quickness and accuracy with which he grasped all the intricate questions which constantly arose, and the manner in which he had mastered the details of subjects often, of necessity, unfamiliar to him.’ [x]
After his death, the Sussex Agricultural Express remembered him as ‘Essentially a business man of great acumen, his advice was often sought and always readily but quietly given.’ [xi]
In March 2004 J.Y. and G.W. Johnson (established 1850) merged with another longstanding firm, Bromhead & Co (established 1889) to create Bromhead Johnson. Whereas in Scotland, Johnsons of Edinburgh (established 1846) joined with J. Y and G. W. Johnson in 1990, upon the retirement of Edward Johnson, and continues to practice as Johnson’s of Edinburgh. [xii]
After the death of his brother, William, he became proprietor of the Practical Mechanics’ Journal and, in 1862, brought out the PMJ “Record” of the International Exhibition of that year, ‘a book written by various writers under the editorship of the late Robert Mallet, which was and is a trustworthy and accurate representation of the manufacturing arts at that date.’[xiii] John Henry Johnson was elected an Associate of the Institute of Civil Engineers on 2 May 1865. [xiv]
By the time CIPA was founded, 30 years after the UK’s Patent Office was set up, the profession of patent agent was already well-established. The identities of some of the practitioners who helped set up the Institute are still reflected today in firms’ names.
At the inaugural meeting held on 29 November 1882, John Henry Johnson addressed the members in a 3,500 word speech. He said, ‘In the first place, I must express my sincere thanks for the great honour which has been done me, and I trust that the Institute will have no ground, during my tenure of office, to regret the choice which it has made,’ reflecting a tone of humility, dedication and service which becomes familiar as one reads his many documented contributions to the Institute’s business. [xv]
‘The Institute of Patent Agents has been in the minds of some of us for many years,’ he went on to say, ‘Probably there is no profession which has more need of such an institution’.
‘Mr Johnson was a man of very great ability, and would have made his mark in whatever walk of life he had found himself. He had wonderful organising powers and was a man of very quick, and, at the same time, remarkably sound judgment.’ [viii]
Eventually the London branch outgrew the original and continued to prosper. John Henry went into partnership with his sons, James Yate and George William and Mr Benjamin Willcox (who was still carrying on the business in 1900). John Henry became senior partner in both firms - J.H. and J.Y., solicitors as well as Johnson and Willcox, patent agents.
Indeed, John H. Johnson was one of the first specialist patent agents in England and became the founding President of the Institute of Patent Agents [ix] on its formation in 1882.
His obituary in The Engineer draws attention to the significance of the mark he made upon his chosen field: ‘His name will be remembered in connection with many important cases, notably the paraffin-oil case in 1864 – which occupied Vice Chancellor Stuart for twenty-nine days – the sewing machine litigation in the sixties, and later on the great aniline dye and colour cases. No one who was associated with Mr Johnson in this class of business could fail to be struck by the quickness and accuracy with which he grasped all the intricate questions which constantly arose, and the manner in which he had mastered the details of subjects often, of necessity, unfamiliar to him.’ [x]
After his death, the Sussex Agricultural Express remembered him as ‘Essentially a business man of great acumen, his advice was often sought and always readily but quietly given.’ [xi]
In March 2004 J.Y. and G.W. Johnson (established 1850) merged with another longstanding firm, Bromhead & Co (established 1889) to create Bromhead Johnson. Whereas in Scotland, Johnsons of Edinburgh (established 1846) joined with J. Y and G. W. Johnson in 1990, upon the retirement of Edward Johnson, and continues to practice as Johnson’s of Edinburgh. [xii]
After the death of his brother, William, he became proprietor of the Practical Mechanics’ Journal and, in 1862, brought out the PMJ “Record” of the International Exhibition of that year, ‘a book written by various writers under the editorship of the late Robert Mallet, which was and is a trustworthy and accurate representation of the manufacturing arts at that date.’[xiii] John Henry Johnson was elected an Associate of the Institute of Civil Engineers on 2 May 1865. [xiv]
By the time CIPA was founded, 30 years after the UK’s Patent Office was set up, the profession of patent agent was already well-established. The identities of some of the practitioners who helped set up the Institute are still reflected today in firms’ names.
At the inaugural meeting held on 29 November 1882, John Henry Johnson addressed the members in a 3,500 word speech. He said, ‘In the first place, I must express my sincere thanks for the great honour which has been done me, and I trust that the Institute will have no ground, during my tenure of office, to regret the choice which it has made,’ reflecting a tone of humility, dedication and service which becomes familiar as one reads his many documented contributions to the Institute’s business. [xv]
‘The Institute of Patent Agents has been in the minds of some of us for many years,’ he went on to say, ‘Probably there is no profession which has more need of such an institution’.
Charles Dickens and the Changes in Patent Law
The need to create order within this profession had been highlighted by Charles Dickens in his short story of 1850, A Poor Man’s Tale of a Patent. The protagonist is named John:
I have been called 'Old John' ever since I was nineteen year of age, on account of not having much hair. I am fifty-six year of age at the present time, and I don't find myself with more hair, nor yet with less, to signify, than at nineteen year of age aforesaid.
He explains to the reader that he was born ‘nigh London’ but have worked in a shop at Birmingham (what you would call Manufactories, we call Shops), and he is a smith. Dickens’ sad tale deplores the complexity, inefficiency and extortionate expense involved in obtaining a patent at that time. The story’s hero tells us:
No man in England could get a Patent for an Indian-rubber band, or an iron-hoop, without feeing all of them. Some of them, over and over again.
I went through thirty-five stages. I began with the Queen upon the Throne.
I ended with the Deputy Chaff-wax.
He concludes by saying,
My opinion is the same as Thomas Joy. Further. In William Butcher's delivering 'that the whole gang of Hanapers and Chaff-waxes [xvi] must be done away with, and that England has been chaffed and waxed sufficient,' I agree.
In fact, you only needed to pass through seven offices, but the process was unwieldy enough for the government to pass the Patent Law Amendment Act in 1852. [xvii]
The Patent Agent’s Institute was ‘consulted by the authorities on many points which arose in the preparation of the rules under the New Patent Act of 1884.’[xviii]
The need to create order within this profession had been highlighted by Charles Dickens in his short story of 1850, A Poor Man’s Tale of a Patent. The protagonist is named John:
I have been called 'Old John' ever since I was nineteen year of age, on account of not having much hair. I am fifty-six year of age at the present time, and I don't find myself with more hair, nor yet with less, to signify, than at nineteen year of age aforesaid.
He explains to the reader that he was born ‘nigh London’ but have worked in a shop at Birmingham (what you would call Manufactories, we call Shops), and he is a smith. Dickens’ sad tale deplores the complexity, inefficiency and extortionate expense involved in obtaining a patent at that time. The story’s hero tells us:
No man in England could get a Patent for an Indian-rubber band, or an iron-hoop, without feeing all of them. Some of them, over and over again.
I went through thirty-five stages. I began with the Queen upon the Throne.
I ended with the Deputy Chaff-wax.
He concludes by saying,
My opinion is the same as Thomas Joy. Further. In William Butcher's delivering 'that the whole gang of Hanapers and Chaff-waxes [xvi] must be done away with, and that England has been chaffed and waxed sufficient,' I agree.
In fact, you only needed to pass through seven offices, but the process was unwieldy enough for the government to pass the Patent Law Amendment Act in 1852. [xvii]
The Patent Agent’s Institute was ‘consulted by the authorities on many points which arose in the preparation of the rules under the New Patent Act of 1884.’[xviii]
The Patentees’ Manual
John Henry Johnson was the co-author, with his brother James, of The Patentee's Manual, which was one of the early manuals of patent practice. He was succeeded by his sons James Yate Johnson and George William Johnson, under whose names the firm was to be known.
John Henry Johnson was the co-author, with his brother James, of The Patentee's Manual, which was one of the early manuals of patent practice. He was succeeded by his sons James Yate Johnson and George William Johnson, under whose names the firm was to be known.
Though of an unostentatious nature, Mr JOHNSON took a deep interest in every local object, but like many gentlemen he preferred to do good by stealth, and many are the remembrances of those helped in the time of necessity. [xix]
A Country Gentleman
In 1860 John Henry Johnson moved to the Kent village of Hildenborough and, with Charles Fitch Kemp, his daughter in law’s father, bought land in the village. [xx] By 1861 (now aged 33) he was resident at 84 Bourne Place. [xxi] Living with him were his wife, Frances, (by now aged 25) and three children - Frances (3), Henry (1) Catherine (11 months). They had a coachman named Joseph Giles (28) who was born in Henley-on-Thames, and another servant, Elizabeth Ann, (26) hailed from Ryde, on the Isle of Wight. Mary Weaver (38, from Ashford in Kent), and Letitia Langley (19) were both nurses.
In 1860 John Henry Johnson moved to the Kent village of Hildenborough and, with Charles Fitch Kemp, his daughter in law’s father, bought land in the village. [xx] By 1861 (now aged 33) he was resident at 84 Bourne Place. [xxi] Living with him were his wife, Frances, (by now aged 25) and three children - Frances (3), Henry (1) Catherine (11 months). They had a coachman named Joseph Giles (28) who was born in Henley-on-Thames, and another servant, Elizabeth Ann, (26) hailed from Ryde, on the Isle of Wight. Mary Weaver (38, from Ashford in Kent), and Letitia Langley (19) were both nurses.
Mountains
John Henry moved with his family to the magnificent Mountains estate. The existing farmhouse was demolished and the house, of which he became very fond, was built in 1866. The house today is now Fosse Bank School, and the house in which Charles Fitch Kemp was resident, Foxbush, is Sackville Independent School.
The newly built Charing Cross to Tonbridge line allowed easy access between the Kent countryside and the city of London where Charles Fitch Kemp was a Chartered Accountant. In Hildenborough he became first Chairman of the Parish Council. [xxii]
John Henry was reported to have been ‘well and widely known in the neighbourhood in which he lived, and by his kindly disposition made a host of friends in all classes of society’. [xxiii] He also took an interest in parish matters, as well as being a manager of the local school [xxiv] and for some time acted as honorary clerk to outlying districts of Tonbridge Highway District. [xxv]
For 30 years (1867-1898) he was churchwarden of St John’s, Hildenborough, and played a significant role in the church’s restoration. A stained glass window was contributed by him to the church in memory of the death of his eldest daughter, Frances Anne Johnson, who died in July 1897 aged only 39. [xxvi]
We have only snatches of historical record from which to build a picture of the man himself, but he was described as a ‘devoted husband, a kind and indulgent father and a loving friend,’ [xxvii] and every record that does exist speaks highly of him, both in terms of his character and his accomplishments. His generosity is referred to on a number of occasions, as acts of generosity were both handsomely and frequently performed by him. [xxviii] By contrast, his favourite pastimes were shooting and driving and with Mr Fitch Kemp, he rented quite a large part of the shooting in the district. [xxix]
Illness
‘During the last 15 years of his life, Mr Johnson suffered from bladder stones which required several lithotrities [xxx] and a suprapubic lithotomy. [xxxi] Despite the painfulness of his condition, we know that he was ‘an omnivorous and rapid reader – travels were his special delight, and he read literally every book of travels which was published; and he not merely read, but remembered what he read. His favourite reading after the travels was the Waverley Novels, which, since his confinement at home, he made a point of reading through once in every year.’ [xxxii]
‘During the last 15 years of his life, Mr Johnson suffered from bladder stones which required several lithotrities [xxx] and a suprapubic lithotomy. [xxxi] Despite the painfulness of his condition, we know that he was ‘an omnivorous and rapid reader – travels were his special delight, and he read literally every book of travels which was published; and he not merely read, but remembered what he read. His favourite reading after the travels was the Waverley Novels, which, since his confinement at home, he made a point of reading through once in every year.’ [xxxii]
Death and Funeral
On every hand there were signs of the great respect and esteem in which the deceased gentleman was held by all classes, and a large and sympathetic congregation, including the principal residents in the neighbourhood, attended
the service. [xxxiii]
John Henry Johnson died on Monday 12 March 1900, attended by his son, George William. Men from the Mountains estate acted as bearers to convey his body to the parish church of St. John’s early on Thursday morning.
The coffin was placed at the entrance to the chancel on a purple and old-gold rug. On top of the coffin was a cross composed of Nephetos roses and lilies of the valley. The inscription read 'In everlasting love from his wife and children.' [xxxiv] At the head of the coffin a wreath of lilies of the valley was suspended with the message 'In loving remembrance from Connie and Jim.'
The funeral took place in the afternoon with two members of the family officiating at the ceremony - Rev. Canon F. P. LAWSON [xxxv] and Rev. A W LAWSON (vicar of West Malling) [xxxvi] - which was conducted by the vicar, the Rev. R. L. G. PIDCOCK.[xxxvii]
His passing was marked with the music of Chopin (Marche Funebre), the hymns On the Resurrection Morning, Now the Labourer’s Task is O’er, as well as the 90th Psalm.
The Nunc Dimittis accompanied the coffin out of the church followed by the voluntary I know that my Redeemer liveth. A special prayer was said at the graveside and the final hymn, Peace, Perfect Peace was sung. The grave was trailed with ivy, studded with arums, hyacinths, rhododendrons and other blooms [xxxviii] and he was buried in an unpolished English Oak coffin with panelled sides and a raised cross, carved out of solid wood. His grave is on the west side of the churchyard of St John’s church.
On every hand there were signs of the great respect and esteem in which the deceased gentleman was held by all classes, and a large and sympathetic congregation, including the principal residents in the neighbourhood, attended
the service. [xxxiii]
John Henry Johnson died on Monday 12 March 1900, attended by his son, George William. Men from the Mountains estate acted as bearers to convey his body to the parish church of St. John’s early on Thursday morning.
The coffin was placed at the entrance to the chancel on a purple and old-gold rug. On top of the coffin was a cross composed of Nephetos roses and lilies of the valley. The inscription read 'In everlasting love from his wife and children.' [xxxiv] At the head of the coffin a wreath of lilies of the valley was suspended with the message 'In loving remembrance from Connie and Jim.'
The funeral took place in the afternoon with two members of the family officiating at the ceremony - Rev. Canon F. P. LAWSON [xxxv] and Rev. A W LAWSON (vicar of West Malling) [xxxvi] - which was conducted by the vicar, the Rev. R. L. G. PIDCOCK.[xxxvii]
His passing was marked with the music of Chopin (Marche Funebre), the hymns On the Resurrection Morning, Now the Labourer’s Task is O’er, as well as the 90th Psalm.
The Nunc Dimittis accompanied the coffin out of the church followed by the voluntary I know that my Redeemer liveth. A special prayer was said at the graveside and the final hymn, Peace, Perfect Peace was sung. The grave was trailed with ivy, studded with arums, hyacinths, rhododendrons and other blooms [xxxviii] and he was buried in an unpolished English Oak coffin with panelled sides and a raised cross, carved out of solid wood. His grave is on the west side of the churchyard of St John’s church.
Little would he have suspected that 114 years later his great granddaughter, the author of this biographical essay in his memory, would be sitting beside his grave in the churchyard of St John the Evangelist in Hildenborough, having just received a blessing on her quest from the current Vicar, the Rev. Tim Saiet.
The unostentatious grave is simply inscribed on top of the base, beside inscriptions for other family members; so self-effacing that it could easily be missed. It reads: And also the above-named John Henry Johnson. Died at Mountains 12 March 1900.
I wonder if his granddaughter, Ann Rosemary Johnson, who spent her last days gazing upon the valley seen from the windows of Muncaster Castle in Ravenglass, realised that she had come to rest just 44 miles from where John Henry had started his life.
The unostentatious grave is simply inscribed on top of the base, beside inscriptions for other family members; so self-effacing that it could easily be missed. It reads: And also the above-named John Henry Johnson. Died at Mountains 12 March 1900.
I wonder if his granddaughter, Ann Rosemary Johnson, who spent her last days gazing upon the valley seen from the windows of Muncaster Castle in Ravenglass, realised that she had come to rest just 44 miles from where John Henry had started his life.
APPENDIX I
The immediate mourners were: Mrs JOHNSON, Miss K JOHNSON, Mr and Mrs C H SCOTT, Mr James Yate JOHNSON, Mr G W JOHNSON, Mr F. JOHNSON, Mr J C JOHNSON, Mr J Y Vernon JOHNSON, Miss LAWSON (Noble Tree Cross), Mr W Norton and the Misses LAWSON, Mr George LAWSON, Mr Edward LAWSON, Mr Arnold LAWSON, Mr C E JENKINS, Q.C., Dr and Mrs POPE, Mr RISLEY, Dr PRICE, Mr Allan MAY, the Misses UNDERWOOD, Mr B. WILLCOX and the staff from 17, Lincolns Inn Fields, Messrs. J FAGG, W HODGSKIN and LEES (representing the Tonbridge Waterworks Company), while at the Church, in addition to the whole of the employees on the state we noticed Mr C FITCH KEMP, Miss, Miss Maud and Miss Ethel FITCH KEMP, Mr C Middleton FITCH KEMP, Mr Manley FITCH KEMP, Mr Harold FITCH KEMP, Dr IEVERS, Mr and Mrs A BOSANQUET, Mr R WINGATE, the Rev F A Stewart SAVILE, Mr T KINGSCOTE, Mr Roger CUNLIFFE, Mrs E H HILLS, Mr W HOMEWOOD, Mr E HENDY, etc., etc. Wreaths and floral tributes were sent by the following: "In remembrance of 40 years of constant and affectionate regard from the family at Foxbush," Mr, Mrs and the Misses Norton LAWSON, Mr and Mrs UNDERWOOD, Mrs E H HILLS, Mr Arnold LAWSON, Dr and Mrs IEVERS, Mary and George LAWSON, Mr and Mrs B. WILLCOX, Mr and Mrs Charles JENKINS, Hannah WEBB, Mrs F A TEDD, Mr and Mrs ASCROFT, Ellen CARD, Lorena, M and E A LAWSON, the indoor and out-door servants at Mountains, the staff at 17, Lincolns Inn Fields, Nurse TURNBULL, the maids at the house, Mr and Mrs LAWSON, Mr and Mrs Edward LAWSON, Mr and Mrs R A BOSANQUET, Mr and Mrs A BEECHING, Mr and the Hon Mrs T KINGSCOTE, Mr and Mrs RISLEY, Mr and Mrs Roger CUNLIFFE, etc., etc.
Mr G. E. LAWSON, of High-street, Tonbridge, was the undertaker. [xxxix]
The immediate mourners were: Mrs JOHNSON, Miss K JOHNSON, Mr and Mrs C H SCOTT, Mr James Yate JOHNSON, Mr G W JOHNSON, Mr F. JOHNSON, Mr J C JOHNSON, Mr J Y Vernon JOHNSON, Miss LAWSON (Noble Tree Cross), Mr W Norton and the Misses LAWSON, Mr George LAWSON, Mr Edward LAWSON, Mr Arnold LAWSON, Mr C E JENKINS, Q.C., Dr and Mrs POPE, Mr RISLEY, Dr PRICE, Mr Allan MAY, the Misses UNDERWOOD, Mr B. WILLCOX and the staff from 17, Lincolns Inn Fields, Messrs. J FAGG, W HODGSKIN and LEES (representing the Tonbridge Waterworks Company), while at the Church, in addition to the whole of the employees on the state we noticed Mr C FITCH KEMP, Miss, Miss Maud and Miss Ethel FITCH KEMP, Mr C Middleton FITCH KEMP, Mr Manley FITCH KEMP, Mr Harold FITCH KEMP, Dr IEVERS, Mr and Mrs A BOSANQUET, Mr R WINGATE, the Rev F A Stewart SAVILE, Mr T KINGSCOTE, Mr Roger CUNLIFFE, Mrs E H HILLS, Mr W HOMEWOOD, Mr E HENDY, etc., etc. Wreaths and floral tributes were sent by the following: "In remembrance of 40 years of constant and affectionate regard from the family at Foxbush," Mr, Mrs and the Misses Norton LAWSON, Mr and Mrs UNDERWOOD, Mrs E H HILLS, Mr Arnold LAWSON, Dr and Mrs IEVERS, Mary and George LAWSON, Mr and Mrs B. WILLCOX, Mr and Mrs Charles JENKINS, Hannah WEBB, Mrs F A TEDD, Mr and Mrs ASCROFT, Ellen CARD, Lorena, M and E A LAWSON, the indoor and out-door servants at Mountains, the staff at 17, Lincolns Inn Fields, Nurse TURNBULL, the maids at the house, Mr and Mrs LAWSON, Mr and Mrs Edward LAWSON, Mr and Mrs R A BOSANQUET, Mr and Mrs A BEECHING, Mr and the Hon Mrs T KINGSCOTE, Mr and Mrs RISLEY, Mr and Mrs Roger CUNLIFFE, etc., etc.
Mr G. E. LAWSON, of High-street, Tonbridge, was the undertaker. [xxxix]
APPENDIX II
The London Standard published the following announcement on Friday 25 May 1900:
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, Deceased.—Pursuant to the Statute 22 and 23 Victoria, cap. 35, intituled “An Act to further amend the Law of Property and to relieve Trustees,” Notice is hereby Given, that all CREDITORS and other persons having any debts, claims, or demands against the Estate of JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, late of Mountains, Hildenborough, in the county of Kent, deceased (who died on the 12th day of March, 1900, and whose will with one codicil thereto was proved in the Principal Registry of the Probate Division of her Majesty’s High Court of Justice on the 17th day of May, 1900, by Frances JOHNSON, of Mountains, Hildenborough aforesaid, widow, James Yate JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln’s-inn-fields, in the county of London, solicitor and patent agent, George William JOHNSON, of Mountains, Hildenborough aforesaid, patent agent, and William Norton LAWSON of 9, Hartfield-square, Eastbourne, in the county of Sussex, gentleman, the executrix and executors therein named), are hereby required to send particulars, in writing, of their debts, claims, or demands to us, the undersigned, as solicitors for the said executrix and executors, on or before the 30th day of June, 1900, after which date the said executrix and executors will proceed to distribute the assets of the said deceased amongst the persons entitled thereto, having regard only to the debts, claims, and demands of which they shall then have had notice, and that they will not be liable for the assets of the said deceased, or any part thereof, so distributed to any person or persons of whose debt, claim, or demand they shall not then have had notice.—Dated this 25th day of May, 1900.
J. H. and J. Y. JOHNSON, 47, Lincoln’s-inn-fields, London, W.C., Solicitors for the said Executrix and Executors. [xxxx]
The London Standard published the following announcement on Friday 25 May 1900:
JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, Deceased.—Pursuant to the Statute 22 and 23 Victoria, cap. 35, intituled “An Act to further amend the Law of Property and to relieve Trustees,” Notice is hereby Given, that all CREDITORS and other persons having any debts, claims, or demands against the Estate of JOHN HENRY JOHNSON, late of Mountains, Hildenborough, in the county of Kent, deceased (who died on the 12th day of March, 1900, and whose will with one codicil thereto was proved in the Principal Registry of the Probate Division of her Majesty’s High Court of Justice on the 17th day of May, 1900, by Frances JOHNSON, of Mountains, Hildenborough aforesaid, widow, James Yate JOHNSON, of 47, Lincoln’s-inn-fields, in the county of London, solicitor and patent agent, George William JOHNSON, of Mountains, Hildenborough aforesaid, patent agent, and William Norton LAWSON of 9, Hartfield-square, Eastbourne, in the county of Sussex, gentleman, the executrix and executors therein named), are hereby required to send particulars, in writing, of their debts, claims, or demands to us, the undersigned, as solicitors for the said executrix and executors, on or before the 30th day of June, 1900, after which date the said executrix and executors will proceed to distribute the assets of the said deceased amongst the persons entitled thereto, having regard only to the debts, claims, and demands of which they shall then have had notice, and that they will not be liable for the assets of the said deceased, or any part thereof, so distributed to any person or persons of whose debt, claim, or demand they shall not then have had notice.—Dated this 25th day of May, 1900.
J. H. and J. Y. JOHNSON, 47, Lincoln’s-inn-fields, London, W.C., Solicitors for the said Executrix and Executors. [xxxx]
Last Will and Testament [xxxxi]
His reputation and influence are reflected in the fact that details of his bequests were published in four newspapers: The Morning Post, the Dundee Evening Post, the Birmingham Daily Post and the London Standard.[xxxxii]
All the remainder of his property is to be held on trust to pay the income thereof to his wife for her life or widowhood, or in the event of her remarriage her income is to be made up to £300 per annum. Subject thereto he gave £12,000 on trust for each of his daughters, and also the income of £8,000 for such of them as shall be unmarried, and the ultimate residue on trust for his sons, except his eldest son, Henry Lawson JOHNSON, who is already provided for. The executors of his will and codicil are his wife, his sons James Yate JOHNSON and George William JOHNSON, and William Norton LAWSON, of 9, Hartfield-square, Eastbourne.
Notes in text:
His reputation and influence are reflected in the fact that details of his bequests were published in four newspapers: The Morning Post, the Dundee Evening Post, the Birmingham Daily Post and the London Standard.[xxxxii]
- Property of the value of £100,328 6s. 11d., including net personalty of £71,720 10s. 7d.
- Copyright of his books, "The Patentees' Manual" and the "Epitome of the Patent Law," and of other publications to his sons James Yate and George Williams [sic];
- the books, papers, and furniture, at 47, Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, to his son James Yate;
- £1,000 and his household effects, farm stock, horses and carriages to his wife, Mrs. Frances JOHNSON
- £200 each to his daughters Catherine and Edith
- £100 each to his nephews Wm. H. JOHNSON and James Yate Vernon JOHNSON
- £250 each to Cartmell HARRISON and Edmund G. HARRISON
- an annuity of £200 to his brother James Yate JOHNSON
- £100 to his brother-in-law, George LAWSON, of Harley-street
- legacies to executors and persons in his employ.
All the remainder of his property is to be held on trust to pay the income thereof to his wife for her life or widowhood, or in the event of her remarriage her income is to be made up to £300 per annum. Subject thereto he gave £12,000 on trust for each of his daughters, and also the income of £8,000 for such of them as shall be unmarried, and the ultimate residue on trust for his sons, except his eldest son, Henry Lawson JOHNSON, who is already provided for. The executors of his will and codicil are his wife, his sons James Yate JOHNSON and George William JOHNSON, and William Norton LAWSON, of 9, Hartfield-square, Eastbourne.
Notes in text:
[i] Obituary, The Engineer, 30 March 1900, p. 336, courtesy of Cumbria Family History Society
[ii] Ibid
[iii] Ibid
[iv] Archives of the Westmorland Society, courtesy of Cumbria Family History Society
[v] Bromhead Johnson website
[vi] Frances Lawson broke off her engagement to a Mr. Parkinson in order to marry John Henry Johnson. Edited by Victor Bonham-Carter, assisted by Monica Lawson, Surgeon in the Crimea: The Experiences of George Lawson recorded in letters to his family 1854-1855, p. 4 ( History Book Club. 1968)
[vii] James Yate Johnson was a barrister and a botanist, later going on to make his name as a naturalist. He settled in Madeira from where he was a correspondent for the Zoological Society of London. He discovered several new species and a sponge was named after him.
[viii] See Note 1
[ix] Now the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA)
[x] See Note 1
[xi] Sussex Agricultural Express, Saturday 17 March 1900 (p. 3, col. 3) Courtesy of Cumbria Family History Society
[xii] Bromhead Johnson website http://www.intellectual-property.co.uk/pages/about_us
[xiii] This publication was available on Amazon at £157.55 at the time of writing (July 2014)
[xiv] See Note 1
[xv] Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys archives
[xvi] A chaff-wax was responsible to the Lord Chancellor whose job was fitting wax seals to patents; the office was abolished in 1852.
[xvii] http://patentlyo.com/patent/2011/01/a-poor-mans-tale-of-a-patent.html
[xviii] See Note 1
[xix] Kent & Sussex Courier, Friday 16 March 1900, courtesy of Cumbria Family History Society
[xx] Sussex Agricultural Express, 17 March 1900, (p. 3, col. 3) Courtesy of Cumbria Family History Society
[xxi] 1861 Census. This address appears no longer to exist
[xxii] http://www.sackvilleschool.co.uk/history.html
[xxiii] Kent & Sussex Courier, Friday 16 Mar 1900, (p. 8, col. 4)
[xxiv] See Note 1
[xxv] See Note 23
[xxvi] Death Certificate, 17 July 1897
[xxvii] See Note 23
[xxviii] See Note 11
[xxix] Ibid
[xxx] Operation to crush stones in urinary bladder, to allow them to be expelled
[xxxi] Death Certificate, registered 12 March 1900 in the Sub-district of Tonbridge
[xxxii] See Note 1
[xxxiii] See Note 11
[xxxiv] John and Frances Johnson had nine children, eight of whom were living at the time of his death. Their children were Frances Anne (1858-1897), Henry (1859-1907), Catherine (1860-1949), James Yate (1861-1935), Edith Ellen (1865-1944), George (1866-1945), Francis (1868-?), Frederick (1873-1958), John Charles (1877-1929).
[xxxv] Frederick Pike Lawson, John Henry’s brother-in-law
[xxxvi] Rev Arthur William Lawson (1862-1949), John Henry’s nephew
[xxxvii] See Notes 11 and 19
[xxxviii] Kent & Sussex Courier, Friday 16 Mar 1900, (p. 8, col. 4). Courtesy of Cumbria Family History Society
[xxxix] Ibid
[xxxx] p. 11, col. 3
[xxxxi] Morning Post, Tuesday 22 May 1900 and Dundee Evening Post, Wednesday 23 May 1900
[xxxxii] Courtesy of Cumbria Family History Society
[ii] Ibid
[iii] Ibid
[iv] Archives of the Westmorland Society, courtesy of Cumbria Family History Society
[v] Bromhead Johnson website
[vi] Frances Lawson broke off her engagement to a Mr. Parkinson in order to marry John Henry Johnson. Edited by Victor Bonham-Carter, assisted by Monica Lawson, Surgeon in the Crimea: The Experiences of George Lawson recorded in letters to his family 1854-1855, p. 4 ( History Book Club. 1968)
[vii] James Yate Johnson was a barrister and a botanist, later going on to make his name as a naturalist. He settled in Madeira from where he was a correspondent for the Zoological Society of London. He discovered several new species and a sponge was named after him.
[viii] See Note 1
[ix] Now the Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys (CIPA)
[x] See Note 1
[xi] Sussex Agricultural Express, Saturday 17 March 1900 (p. 3, col. 3) Courtesy of Cumbria Family History Society
[xii] Bromhead Johnson website http://www.intellectual-property.co.uk/pages/about_us
[xiii] This publication was available on Amazon at £157.55 at the time of writing (July 2014)
[xiv] See Note 1
[xv] Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys archives
[xvi] A chaff-wax was responsible to the Lord Chancellor whose job was fitting wax seals to patents; the office was abolished in 1852.
[xvii] http://patentlyo.com/patent/2011/01/a-poor-mans-tale-of-a-patent.html
[xviii] See Note 1
[xix] Kent & Sussex Courier, Friday 16 March 1900, courtesy of Cumbria Family History Society
[xx] Sussex Agricultural Express, 17 March 1900, (p. 3, col. 3) Courtesy of Cumbria Family History Society
[xxi] 1861 Census. This address appears no longer to exist
[xxii] http://www.sackvilleschool.co.uk/history.html
[xxiii] Kent & Sussex Courier, Friday 16 Mar 1900, (p. 8, col. 4)
[xxiv] See Note 1
[xxv] See Note 23
[xxvi] Death Certificate, 17 July 1897
[xxvii] See Note 23
[xxviii] See Note 11
[xxix] Ibid
[xxx] Operation to crush stones in urinary bladder, to allow them to be expelled
[xxxi] Death Certificate, registered 12 March 1900 in the Sub-district of Tonbridge
[xxxii] See Note 1
[xxxiii] See Note 11
[xxxiv] John and Frances Johnson had nine children, eight of whom were living at the time of his death. Their children were Frances Anne (1858-1897), Henry (1859-1907), Catherine (1860-1949), James Yate (1861-1935), Edith Ellen (1865-1944), George (1866-1945), Francis (1868-?), Frederick (1873-1958), John Charles (1877-1929).
[xxxv] Frederick Pike Lawson, John Henry’s brother-in-law
[xxxvi] Rev Arthur William Lawson (1862-1949), John Henry’s nephew
[xxxvii] See Notes 11 and 19
[xxxviii] Kent & Sussex Courier, Friday 16 Mar 1900, (p. 8, col. 4). Courtesy of Cumbria Family History Society
[xxxix] Ibid
[xxxx] p. 11, col. 3
[xxxxi] Morning Post, Tuesday 22 May 1900 and Dundee Evening Post, Wednesday 23 May 1900
[xxxxii] Courtesy of Cumbria Family History Society