Issue 14 January 2013

Bessemer 200th Anniversary Edition

On behalf of the Friends of Charlton Village and the Bessemer 200 Working Party welcome

to this special Bessemer 200th anniversary edition of the Hiz e-newsletter.

In this issue we are honoured to have a contribution from Paul Bessemer, Sir Henry’s Great

Great Grandson who gives a family perspective to the great man and the events planned to

mark this milestone. Other Bessemer descendents then add their own thoughts on what this

anniversary means to them.

We look back at 12 months preparation for the 200th

birthday of Charlton’s most famous

resident with excerpts from Hiz editions published in 2012. Finally we complete the story

with details of those events planned by the coordination team.

We very much hope you will take time out to visit one or more of the following events:

Events planned for 2013.

Jan 19th

: Birthday party at the Windmill PH , Charlton.

Steam Engines, music, period costume, food and Bessemer Ale from Tring Brewery.

Exhibition of old photographs.

19th

Feb –end May: Bessemer Exhibition at the British Schools Museum in Hitchin

Learn more about one of England’s unsung heroes born just walking distance from the

Museum.

May 18th : Victorian Fete also at the British Schools Museum.

All the fun of a traditional Victorian Fete with Punch & Judy, Steam Fire Engine and the

RNLI in the 19th

century. Period costume recommended.

SIR HENRY BESSEMER 200TH

ANNIVERSARY

THOUGHTS ON BESSEMER 200 CELEBRATIONS

Sir Henry Bessemer was so fond of the blissful and idyllic times of his youth in Charlton and

Hitchin that, in later life, he named several of his residences “Charlton House” in honour of

those halcyon days where, in his Autobiography, he writes: “(I) could sometimes, in my quiet

walks round my own meadows, almost fancy myself at my dear old birthplace, Charlton, and

myself again a village boy“. In fact my grandfather, Howard Frank Bessemer, was born at

Charlton House, Upper Norwood in 1872 just down the road from the Crystal Palace.

Sir Henry would have been overjoyed at all the fantastic efforts that the Friends of Charlton

Village, the British Schools’ Museum, the Charlton Society and the Hitchin Historical

Society have made to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of his birth on 19th

January 1813.

Although inundated and crowned with honours during his lifetime, there is little nowadays in

the United Kingdom to recognise the enormous impact Sir Henry made to the Victorian era

and to Science in general.

the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, or “IOM3” (formerly the Iron & Steel Institute) have a Bessemer Room containing numerous artefacts bequeathed by Sir Henry and his descendants;

the IOM3 continue to award an annual Bessemer Gold Medal (established by Sir Henry in 1874) for outstanding services to the steel industry;

The “Bessemer Room” at the Science Museum which was once crammed with exhibits from Sir Henry’s life and inventions no longer exists, and many artefacts are now boxed up and consigned to storage;

there are a few streets named after him dotted about the country;

The only Blue Plaque (which commemorates a link between a location and a famous person) in honour of Sir Henry is in Charlton village on the house where he was born.

Baxter House, where the first steel experiments were made, and where his “gold paint”

business was conducted for many years, is now buried under Platform One of St. Pancras

Station opposite the old church.

Charlton House at Highgate is now La Sainte Union Convent School.

The site of his house in Northampton Square where he lived after his marriage to Ann Allen

is now part of City University.

His magnificent Estate at Denmark Hill, next door to the eminent art critic John Ruskin’s

residence, was demolished in 1947 and the large Blanchedown Estate of 682 houses is built

on the site. The only reminder of Sir Henry at Denmark Hill where he lived for 35 years is

Bessemer Road by King’s College Hospital, and Bessemer Grange Primary School where an

old oak tree, the sole survivor of his estate, stands lonely in the playground.

However, there is nothing at any of these locations to remember Sir Henry - other than the

one in his beloved Charlton Village.

Even during the later stages of his life, Sir Henry’s star was beginning to fade. In a letter to

his grandson, Henry William Bessemer in April 1892 six years before his death, Sir Henry

writes “At one time (20 years ago) everyone would have been too glad to serve me in such a

case, but these many obligations are now forgotten, and men whose fortunes I have made,

treat it as an old affair in which I also benefitted, and so we are quits”.

That is why it is so impressive and important that the village of Charlton and the town of

Hitchin have joined together magnificently to honour Sir Henry and the 200th

Anniversary of

his birth. His actual birthday is being marked by a party in the Windmill pub directly

opposite Charlton House where Henry was born on 19th

January 1813, with a special beer

“Bessemer Ale” brewed by Tring Brewery in his honour, and with music and even a play

about Sir Henry. The Bessemer 200 Exhibition at the British Schools’ Museum in Hitchin

will be a wonderful celebration of Sir Henry’s achievements, and Andy Gibbs and his team

have put an enormous amount of work and effort into remembering Sir Henry. The Museum

are also arranging a Victorian Fete with steam engines in the summer; and the Charlton

Society are marking his birth with an event in May. There are also several events being

arranged by the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining throughout the year to coincide

with specific dates relating to Sir Henry’s life and inventions.

It is marvellous that the residents of Charlton and Hitchin have done so much to honour the

memory of one of their favourite sons, Sir Henry Bessemer. It is poignant that, at the 200th

Anniversary of his birth, the praise of his lifetime achievements which started with honours

from numerous learned societies and scientific institutes; various Honorary Freedoms from

Worshipful Companies and Cities; decorations from the Emperor Napoleon of France, Prince

Oscar of Sweden, the Emperor of Austria, the King of Württemberg, the King of the

Belgians, the Prince of Wales; and a Knighthood by Queen Victoria has come full circle, and

that the main celebrations of his incredible life and inventions are being cherished in the

village of Charlton and Hitchin where he was born and of which he was so very fond.

By Paul H. Bessemer (my grandfather was a grandson of Sir Henry Bessemer)

Comments from Bessemer descendants:

Charlotte Crankshaw (South Africa) A few years ago when I become interested in doing

genealogy and finding out about my ancestors, I was excited to learn that part of my family

heritage included being a Bessemer. This has taken me on an amazing journey of knowledge

and discovery – Sir Henry Bessemer being my Great Great Uncle. I am extremely grateful to

committed and dedicated individuals who have done so much work already in preserving the

Bessemer and especially Sir Henry Bessemer’s legacy. Thank you to everyone who has put

in so much time and effort to make this event memorable. My only regret is that my family

and I cannot be there to be part of the celebrations that have been organised to commemorate

Sir Henry Bessemer’s life and achievements. Although we are not able to be there, we are

grateful to have been included to feel part of this historic occasion.

Bill Bessemer (Australia): The memory fades over time and no more so than for the

Australian Bessemer’s who also face the tyranny of distance. It is not an easy journey for us

to visit the places you have described so articulately. I suppose we have always been

conscious of our name and heritage but your communications have given us a much better

understanding of Sir Henry, his ancestors and descendants. It has been a trip of discovery for

us and we thank you.

I suppose I would add something along the lines that descendents as far away as Melbourne

and Sydney in Australia have learnt much about Sir Henry leading up to the 200th

anniversary and they too would like one day to visit Charlton and Hitchin and visit those

places that so captivated him.

Joan Fairman-Schrecengost (USA): Sir Henry Bessemer is our great-great-great uncle. As

children, my siblings and I were told of a family relationship with Sir Henry Bessemer. As I

researched the Fairman genealogy I found much of the information we were given as children

was incorrect. My research revealed that it was through William Edward Fairman's marriage

to Francis Anne Bessemer, Sir Henry Bessemer's sister, that we are descendants of Sir Henry

Bessemer. In doing my research I found that Francis Anne and her sister, Sophia, were

embroiderers and did work for Her Royal Highness the Duchess of Kent and Princess

Victoria, who later became Queen Victoria. Some of their work might be seen at Kensington

Palace. I was unable to obtain much information regarding Francis Anne Bessemer or

photographs of her. I would appreciate any information on or photographs of Francis Anne

Bessemer.

Sincere thanks for everything,

Limited Edition Bessemer 200 Fine Bone China Mugs

A limited edition of Bessemer 200th

anniversary commemorative mugs are now available.

Price £6 each or 6 for £30. All proceeds to the British Schools Museum in Hitchin thanks to

our generous sponsor Consilium Financial Planning, www.consiliumfp.co.uk .

Mugs are currently on sale at the Half Moon PH, Queen St , and Hawkins Department Store

in Bucklersbury, Hitchin. They will also be on sale at the Exhibition at the British Schools in

February or direct from John Pearce at pearcej53@o2.co.uk.

In Search of Henry Bessemer: Excerpts from our journey through 2012

Hiz January 2012: How it all started

(Notice that we got the date of birth wrong in the first edition)

Henry Bessemer

Born

Henry Bessemer

19 January 1813

Charlton, Hertfordshire, England[1]

Died 15 March 1898 (aged 85)

London

Nationality English

Occupation engineer and inventor

Known for Development of the Bessemer process for

the manufacture of steel.

The Friends have convened a

working party to look at possible

events to celebrate the 200th

anniversary of the birth of Henry

Bessemer in Charlton on 19th

January 1812.

So far representatives from

Hitchin Historical Society,

Hitchin British Schools, and The

Windmill PH have signed up to

the group. In addition we are

pleased to have Derek Wheeler,

MBE as part of the team. It is

also hoped that the Charlton

Society will nominate a

representative to maximise the

involvement of all key

stakeholders in what will be an

anniversary recognised world-

wide.

As we count down to Jan 2012 ,

The Hiz will provide regular

updates of planned events and

information on how the general

public can get involved.

Hiz March 2012: Bessemer Crest (courtesy Paul Bessemer) / Bessemer pub, Sheffield

Hiz May 2012: Outing to Kelham Island Museum, Sheffield.

On May 1, John Pearce of

Charlton, Alan Brookman of the

British Schools, and myself, Derek

Wheeler of Hitchin Historical Society,

made a trip to the Kelham Island

Museum in Sheffield to witness the

effect that steel manufacture had on

the area over the last thousand

years. The plentiful water pouring off

the hillsides into the rivers was used to

power small millwheels, timber

was available for charcoal for

the smelting process, limestone and

iron ore were not too far distant, and

coal was latterly within easy reach.

Sheffield was well-placed for its

unique role. Local sandstone was used

for the grinding wheels which

provided the edges for scythes, swords,

scissors and tools of all kinds.

(l-r Alan Brookman, John Pearce,

Derek Wheeler)

Hiz June 2012: The Bessemer Saloon Ship Company.

Hiz July 2012 : Bessemer 200 working party night out.

Although well known as a successful

businessman and inventor, Henry

Bessemer did have one dramatic

failure. He suffered from sea

sickness on his many trips to France

so in Dec 1869 he began designing a

ship on which no-one would be sea-

sick. What he created was a cross

channel ferry with a cabin that

remained level whilst the ship rolled.

Unfortunately the boat was so

unstable that it was very difficult to

steer. On her maiden voyage on 8th

May 1875 she sailed from Dover but

on arrival in Calais crashed into the

pier. The SS Bessemer never sailed

again and only a few remnants are

available today in the form of wooden

panels from the saloon. Three of

these panels appeared on Antiques

Roadshow recently and it is hoped

that photographs of them will be

displayed at the Bessemer 200th

anniversary exhibition which will run

at the Hitchin British Schools

Museum from Feb to May next year.

By way of a taster for next year’s

200th

anniversary celebrations

members of the Bessemer 200

Working Party presented at the

Launch party for this year’s

Hitchin Festival. The event was

hosted by the Hitchin British

Schools Museum with steam

engines in the playground.

The speakers were (l to r) Derek

Wheeler MBE, Andy Gibbs and

John Pearce.

Hiz October 2012: The early years.

Henry Bessemer was born on the 19th

January 1813 in Charlton House , Charlton. His father

Anthony Bessemer a refugee from France was a successful business man who set up a

foundry for type metal in the village near or close by a water mill. Exactly where this

foundry was located is subject to conflicting reports but either way it was of great interest to a

young Henry who was fascinated by all things mechanical. Henry takes up the story in his

autobiography of 1905.

‘ There was , however, one other attraction in the village, which played a not-unimportant

part in moulding my ideas at this very early period. I was very fond of machinery , and of

watching it when in motion; and if ever I was absent from meals , I could probably have been

found at the flour mill at the other end of the village, where I passed many hours, gazing with

pleasure upon the broad sheet of water falling into the ever-receding buckets of the great

over-shoot water-wheel; or, perhaps, I might have been watching, with a feeling almost of

awe, the huge wooden spur wheel which brought up the speed, and was one of the wonders of

the millwrights craft in those days.’

It is often assumed that the water-mill referred to in this passage was at Mill Farm, however,

as this is just 100yards away from Charlton House would Henry really have referred to it as

‘at the other end of the village’? It seems more likely that other mills existed along this

stretch of the Hiz between the source and its entry into Priory Park. The river was, as we

know from old photographs, very much larger and faster flowing than the post-abstraction

water course that we are familiar with today.

One subject not covered in the autobiography which remains somewhat of a mystery is where

Henry went to school. There is a reference (Sir Henry Bessemer: Father of the Steel

Industry edited by C Bosworth pub 1998 by IOM Communications Ltd) that he left school at

the age of 14 to be educated at home. The British Schools just a half mile away was

operational at this time though we can only speculate if this contributed to his education.

What we do know is that at age 17 the family moved to Clerkenwell in London where Henry

initially felt overwhelmed and isolated. Rather than pining for the old village life though he

was determined to make a name for himself.

Charlton House, Charlton. River Hiz with boy in contemplation.

Hiz November 2012: The Famous Five go up to Town.

On Thursday 18th October John Pearce, Bob Prebble, Alan Brookman, Bill Sellicks and

Derek Wheeler went off to see the wizard; the man who transformed the world's steel

industry from an expensive, wasteful process of guesswork into a simple, reliable and

relatively cheap exercise. We went off to Carlton House Terrace overlooking St James Park,

wherein lies the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. This amazingly handsome

building has a room dedicated to our local genius, Sir Henry Bessemer and we were there to

gain more information about the life and work of this Charlton - born wizard.

On arrival we were greeted by a delightful lady, Hilda Kaune who is the Librarian at the

Institute, and a great fan of Sir Henry. After refreshments, we were met by Paul Bessemer, a

direct descendant of the great man.

Derek inspects the Bessemer drawings. Sir Henry and Hilda keep the group in order.

The room was a shrine to Sir Henry's genius; here were large portfolios of his engineering

drawings, there were impressive certificates issued by the City Livery Companies, showing

the great esteem in which our local boy was held.

Our host Paul Bessemer then led us to refresh the body, having plenteously nourished the

mind. We hastily 'made a progress,' as Pepys used to say, to the Harp Tavern in Covent

Garden, where we did imbibe most heartily. From there we went by Underground to

Clerkenwell and did espy the Jerusalem Tavern. Now this amazingly quaint watering hole is

right next door to the house to which the Bessemers moved in 1830. Paul noted that this was

probably the first time since that year that a group of Hitchin people had been gathered

together against that adjoining wall

Paul points the way... A well earned pint...

Hiz December 2012: Denmark Hill by John Brunton, Herne Hill Society.

Henry Bessemer in Herne Hill

Bessemer House In 1863 he bought a house and surrounding land on Denmark Hill, on the North side of Herne

Hill. He demolished the rather modest existing house and built a mansion to the designs of

Charles Barry Jr., calling it Bessemer House. A few years later he built a house next door in

mock Tudor style called The Grange for his daughter Elizabeth and her husband William

Wright.

Bessemer House was luxury and opulence on a grand scale. His enormous wealth, much of

which had been derived from patents, meant that money was literally no object.

The Drawing Room c.1910 The Hall c.1910

Bessemer House was surrounded by a 40 acre estate. Here there was a model farm, a small

village of hot houses, a herd of deer, a large lake and, inside the mound formed by excavating

the lake, an elaborate grotto with designs based on those in the Alhambra Palace in Granada.

Henry Bessemer and his wife lived at Bessemer House until her death in 1897 and his the

following year.

Sir Henry Bessemer 1813-1898