No. 1. April 1988. A family forum for the Moxons and their friends. Appears April and October. By Subscription.

follow it up. And the Moxons of EDITORIAL Australia, New Zealand, U.S.A. and Canada are fast developing In so many ways 1987 was a histories of their own. Hopefully remarkable year for the Moxon the Moxon Family Research Trust family. First of all it was the (see page 6 ) will progressively 350th anniversary of the Revd. be able to research and co- George Moxon's participation in ordinate these still the founding of that great New comparatively "grey" areas. England city of Springfield, It is in order that the Masachusetts when he took up his Moxons (and indeed our Maxon, post in 1637 as the brand-new Moxham and Megson cousins) can settlement's first pastor and share such research and schoolmaster as well as being a discussion that "The Moxon foundation magistrate, Magazine", starting with the administrator and ambassador with inaugural issue, will endeavour the neighbouring Indian to give us twice each year a communities. I had the honour to medley of Moxon memories. And represent the Moxon family at the though we start with a celebrations and to help to subscription list of less than a unveil the portrait in oils of hundred we hope that by personal George Moxon that had been recommendation, Christmas gifts faithfully copied from the etc., and good value for money, original still in possession of our circulation will grow fast so his descendents in England (vide that our overheads may be covered pp 108/109 of The Moxons of and the scope for this magazine The Reverend Michael Moxon, Royal Yorkshire). A few months later widened. Chaplain, conducting a 1984 George Moxon was the central A group of Moxons also baptism at Tewkesbury Abbey figure in a second celebration - observed 1987 as the centenary of the 300th anniversary of his the death of William Moxon, the Michael Moxon became a foundation of the First barrister-at-law and foxhunting "television personality" when in Congregational Meeting House in younger brother of Edward Moxon, 1981 as Minor Canon at St Paul's Congleton, Cheshire in the month the eminent Victorian publisher. Cathedral he sang the wedding and year of his death, September The occasion is reported on page 2. responses at the marriage of the 1687. There is a picture and And last, but far from Prince and Princess of Wales. article on page 3 of this least, 1987 marked 100 years of Soon afterwards Michael and magazine. The founder of two the growth of its pre-eminent Sarah Moxon and their three separate Congregational churches position in the world of high children moved to Tewkesbury quality worsted production of Abbey in Gloucestershire, the - 3000 miles amd 50 years apart, second largest parish church in both of which flourish today and Moxon Huddersfield which is the subject of our centre page Britain, where he was appointed continue to hold the memory of Vicar. The Abbey, largely of their founder in great reverence spread. In a letter to us the Managing Director, Mr Eric Wood, Norman design and construction, - George Moxon has every claim to is famous for its music and be one of the most eminent of our states "Our researches have shown that the Moxon family was one of choral festivals. forebears and one of whom we can In 1986 Michael Moxon was be truly proud. the most respected in the district and I think you can be appointed a Royal Chaplain and Perhaps the next most very proud of your heritage." We when we asked him for a few notes notable Moxon event in 1987 was are! And we wish Moxon on this appointment he told us: the publication in midsummer of Huddersfield a great future not "It took place at the end of 1986 "The Moxons of Yorkshire" which only in its enviable business and I was first approached by the is in essence the work of three performance but in continuing to Clerk of the Closet, Bishop John great Moxon historians, the Revd. equate the name Moxon with Bickersteth who recently retired Charles St Denys Moxon (1820- excellence. J.M. as Bishop of Bath and Wells. It 1881), Canon R.S. Moxon D.D. is his job to approach potential (1873-1950) and Prebendary T.A. chaplains to see if they are Moxon M.A. (1877-1943), my own COME TO MOXON COUNTRY willing to stand and it was after father. I had the pleasure of Plans are well advanced to I had indicated my enormous being able to update,edit and organise Tours of Moxon Country pleasure and agreed I would be publish it. It stands now as a in Yorkshire. In late June and happy to serve as a chaplain that kind of focal point of basic early July 1988 the organisers I was then formally contacted by Moxon history around which will carry out one or more the Lord Chamberlain and my current and future research can short exploratory tours in their appointment was registered on rally and develop. There is own transport and would be 31st October, 1986. I was then indeed so much basic Moxon interested to know of others who equipped with a scarlet cassock history that is not touched upon might wish to take part in this and a beautiful badge to wear on in "The Moxons of Yorkshire", research exercise. my preaching scarf. The duties e.g. the growth of the very early are to be in waiting should it be Moxon sheepfarming and weaving Please make contact with Dick Moxon, 132 Howards Grove, necessary whenever the Sovereign enclaves on the Pennine slopes to comes to Gloucestershire and also the west of Huddersfield, Shirley, Southampton, SO1 5PT, telephone 0703 784596. to preach once a year in her Penistone and Sheffield - on the chapel in London and that will Howden and Bradfield Moors - and IN OUR NEXT ISSUE occur this year on 1st May. I the subsequent Moxon settlements You will find less Moxon clergy also get invited with my wife to in the vicinity of Kirkburton, (God bless them) and less of the attend a Royal Garden Party and Silkstone, Cawthorne and Editor (bless him too). The last summer received the honour Thurgoland complemented later by centre page spread will explore of being presented to the Queen." the coalmining Moxons north and the Moxon/Mackson connection and The Reverend Michael Moxon is south of Barnsley - that there is a Trustee of the Moxon Family almost unlimited research in there is a feature on Peter Research Trust. His grandfather store for us, if we choose to [continued on page 8] was Sheffield born. 1 MOXONS IN THE NEWS

New Zealand A cutting from the Christchurch "Star" for 18 May 1987 describes a new Anglican prayer book with everything from a J.K. Baxter poem to a monastic hymn to be introduced in New Zealand. The new book to contain Maori, Fijian, Tongan, Samoan and Hindi languages, gleans from about 10 prayer books currently in use and is to be used as an alternative to the Book of Common Prayer. It was described by the Rev. David Moxon as a book not just for Sundays but appropriate to the entire week. Mr Moxon, director of theological education in Hamilton, said it was also for the "Youth" leader who wanted a contemporary prayer, as well as for those who wanted a traditional style of matins. The Rev David Moxon (37) is a grandson of John Wood Moxon, the younger of two brothers who Seven kinsmen of William Moxon with Bishop John Daly (3rd from emigrated to New Zealand from right) at the centenary ceremony Chatteris in Cambridgeshire and established in the building trade. The elder brother Richard, who left home at the age of 19 in FOXHUNTING 1907, founded a well-known Palmerston North firm of building ANCESTOR contractors which is carried on by his son Richard E. Moxon REMEMBERED today. The Moxons still maintain their links with Chatteris. Bishop John Daly of Honington, who has served as a bishop in four different dioceses, pronounced the blessing at a short service of thanksgiving on Monday 23rd November 1987 at Book Review Tidmington Parish Church, Warwickshire in memory of William Geoffrey Mcxon "Spycracker" Moxon, Barrister-at-Law, who had (Merlin Books, Braunton, Devon. died at Tidmington House exactly 1984. £2.90) 100 years previously.

The service was conducted by the Revd W. John Moxon of The publisher's blurb reads, Weston-sub-Edge, Chipping Camden "In a few days ycu will and was attended with others by receive a visit from Mr Green. He Mr R. E. A. Moxon, great great will be bringing with him a nephew of William Moxon, and his locked briefcase family and by Mr James Moxon, When Ian Carfax, a London O.B.E. A wreath was laid by the lawyer, receives a letter from a family on the marble gravestone. wealthy client instructing him to take the briefcase to William Moxon was a Switzerland, he decides to take successful London Barrister at on the job - intending to mix Law and lived at Tidmington House Joseph Moxon, F.R.S., (1627- business with pleasure. for forty years. He was a J.P. 1691), the prolific author, However, Ian has hardly for Warwick and Worcester and an engraver, map and globe maker, arrived before he finds himself active member of the North astronomer, mathematician, entangled in the shadowy world of Cotswold Hunt. scientist, publisher, printer, espionage. Beset by dangers and and hydrographer to King Charles difficulties, he relies on the He was the younger II, dedicated in the year 1675 to help of a beautiful Swiss girl, brother of Edward Moxon, the Madam Ellen Gwyn (Nell Gwyn, the Erika Holz, who hides him in her Victorian poet, who was also the King's mistress) a book that he remote mountain chalet. Despite publisher of Tennyson, published entitled Exact Survey murder and intrigue Ian tries Wordsworth, Browning, Shelley and of the Microcosmus (Anatomie of desperately to outwit not only Rosetti. He had married Charles the Human Body) by J. L. his adversaries but also the lamb's adopted daughter. Remmelinus, Englished by John Swiss Federal Police, and this Ireton, Chirurgeon. edge-of-the-chair thriller keeps Both Moxons were born at The book comprises a number of up the suspense through to the Wakefield in Yorkshire. carefully engraved plates of the end." human body, both male and female, which are built up one above the Indeed for those who are other and hinged so that they may unashamedly wedded to their be lifted in order to study each Dornford Yates/Ian Fleming style organ, level by level, from the of cops and robbers crookery, Isn Carfax, true to his outer skin to the inner cavities. featuring the cool amateur who role as the innocent let loose They are skilfully hand coloured unwittingly falls feet first into unexpectedly "On the Continong", and carefully described by unbelievable escapades involving has the Swiss sleuths crawling on numbers. In dedicating this book mountain-pass chases (hero's their knees trying to untangle to Nell Gwyn Joseph Moxon Lancia being nudged into oblivion his matter-of-fact references to suggests that she was someone who by crook's Ford with the Red Herrings, Hobson's Choice and could well appreciate the finer inevitable volte-face at the over the moon. But they forgive points of the human body. This moment of climax) and bodies him, of course, when he turns up plate is taken from the copy in strewn about the library for good the stolen secrets concealed possession of The Royal College measure - this will be an right under their professional of Medicine, Wimpole Street, unscheduled top-voltage bonanza. noses. Well he had to, didn't he? London. 2 LETTERS

When James Moxon, Hon. Sec. of the Moxon Family Research Trust, heard that I was planning to visit a daughter in USA living near Worcester (Mass.) he suggested that I should try to go MONDAY. JANUARY 18, 1988 further from Worcester to Springfield. I could then follow in the steps of ancestor George Moxon who founded a church and Ancestor congregation there in 1637. The idea appealed to me but I had to protest that if I had lived in read the the 17th century in the time of the Civil War I would have probably been on the Royalist side! stars for However, my wife and I made the pilgrimage to Springfield, with help from our a king daughter, on Sunday 18th October. Attending the First Church we THERE'S a fascinating conversation piece in were warmly welcomed by the the Rearsby home of retired schoolteacher present Pastor, the Rev James Mrs. Joan Rendall — a gilt framed family tree, detailing the Moxon family, her Riddle, and by the Congregation. mother's paternal line back to 1445. We were given generous This veritable forest of researched their line back hospitality by James and Marilyn interesting ancestors, to 1445. I was quickly able includes a hydrographer to slot my tree in with his. Riddle and taken to see a number and astrologer to Charles finding a further array of II. and a present day rela- interesting ancestors. of local places. For this happy tive who's a crowned meeting I gratefully acknowledge white chief in Africa "They include, Joseph Moxon, hydrographer and our debt to the Editor of this This rather remarkable astrologer to Charles II. Magazine. family tree, she told me, and a Fellow of the Royal has recently been written Society with Wren and out with a goose quill pen Pepys. He dedicated a John Moxon, retired LOOKING BACK Mrs Joan Rendall studies her family and illustrated on rare tree which took 19 years to research. pop up atlas of the human Priest, Weston-sub-Edge, Glos. vellum parchment by body to Nell Gwynne." local artist, Mr. Ewin November 1987. Lloyd, as a Christmas pre The Moxons arrived in sent from her husband. Leicestershire in around Footnote: Jean Rendall is a Robert. 1750 little embarrassed by the fact Pop-up atlas One was an agent for the that the Leicester Mercury Dixie family at Market The tree represents a Bosworth, and a governor reporter has confused astrology labour of love which has of the grammar school so far taken Joan Rendall there. He later became with astronomy. Far from "reading 19 years to research back landlord of the then Black the stars for the King" Joseph 15 generations to the birth Bull Inn, sbe adds. of William Moxon, a Yor- Moxon, F.R.S., was one of the kist in the Wars of the Joan Rendall. who con- Roses tinues exploring her roots, most distinguished scientists of is surprised that though "It took 18 years to get many of her ancestors hail his day. His dedication to Madam back to 1620," said Mrs from the north how much Ellen Gwyn of the superbly Rendall, "then thanks to a research can be done chance in a million, I dis- locally at the Leicester- drawn Atlas of the Human Body covered James Moxon, a shire Record Office present day member of the which he published but did not family. illustrate (he was himself an "He's an author, his eminent engraver) is shown torian. and rather opposite. remarkably, a white chief- tain, whose family had

The Moxons of Yorkshire (Moxon Paperbacks, 1987)

The price of this book has now been reduced to £7.50 per copy (post free U.K.), with the wholesale price of £5.50 per copy for orders of five or more (post free U.K.) - overseas orders should add 20% to the overall purchase price to cover air postage. The publishers hope that with the price now reduced to 300 years later Corner. Mr. Fairchild is seen little more than production cost with two of the Revd. George their aim to have this book read The third centenary of the Moxon's direct descendents, James by as many Moxons as possible, opening of Congleton's First Moxon, M.A., O.B.E., and his old and young, will be achieved. Congregational Meeting House in sister Mrs Margaret Hobson, after It is preferable to have the 1687 by the Revd. George Moxon, examining the plaque which tells printed copies on Moxon M.A., in the year of his death, how the Moxon Memorial Corner has bookshelves than in the was marked on Sunday 13th come into being through the warehouse. Orders to Moxon September 1987 when the Revd. generosity of the congregation of Paperbacks, c/o Tortoise Shell Andrew Fairchild, Minister of the the First Church of Christ, Press, 28 Corve Street, Ludlow, United Reformed Church at Springfield, Massachusetts which Shropshire SY8 1DA. Sterling or Congleton (Direct successor to had also been founded by the U.S. dollar cheques made out to the First Meeting House), Revd. George Moxon in the year Moxon Paperbacks. inaugurated the Moxon Memorial 1637, fifty years earlier. 3 MOXON OF HUDDERSFIELD 100 YEARS IN A FINE TRADITION

oxon have been weaving fine clothes for 100years. The company was born in Huddersfield in 1887 into a fine tradition, for textile manufacturing was already well established in the area in the late 17th century. The activity expanded in the 18th and 19th centuries when, even then, the practitioners were described as 'fancy weavers'. The family were able to trace their ancestry in the region back to 1556, and the grandfather of the mill's founder, Benjamin H. Moxon, was described in the Parish Register as 'a fancy weaver on a handloom', and Ben's father was himself a wool sorter as well as a farmer. Thus, the auspices for a successful business must have looked good when B.H. Moxon began to manufacture in what could already be described as a 'Huddersfield tradition'. A tradition which Ben and his successors did so much to develop and shape through their flair and unwavering pursuit of perfection. In 1900 Ben Moxon's two sons were taken into partnership and the name of the company became B.H. Moxon & Sons. The younger son, Matthew, finally came to run the company and is still remembered by a number of the mill's older employees. In 1950 Moxon moved to its present site at Kirkburton occupying a modern, custom built mill with a unique outlook. Following the death of Matthew Moxon, the Trustees sold the business and later, in 1971, Moxon's became part of the Allied Textiles Companies (A.T.C.), under whose ownership, it has continued to flourish, trading as 'Moxon Huddersfield'. Moxon's has benefited immeasurably from a loyal, locally trained workforce - so essential to a craft industry - coupled with an involvement in, and commitment to, design at managing director level. This latter tradition was initiated by the mill's legendary post-war head designer and later managing director, Stanley Kinder, and consolidated by its present managing director, E. Colin Wood; and it is this vital combination which has ensured Moxon's continued primacy in fine worsted manufacture. Their story is one of continuous anticipation, adaptation and a refusal to compromise on quality of materials and manufacture.

Above - founder Benjamin H. Moxon who began his business at Old Providence Mills, Marsh, Huddersfield in 1887 moving in 1889 to Springfield Mills, Kirkburton. The present factory at Southfield Mills, Kirkburton - seen under construction below - was opened in 1950. Right - Mr and Mrs Matthew Moxon cutting the first sod in Southfield in 1948 prior to the building of the new mill.

4 REPRINTED FROM WOOL RECORD, AUGUST 1987

revealed that Ben's father was a farmer and wool grower, and his grandfather a fancy weaver. It transpires that Kirkburton, whose textile connections go back well before 1700, may well have paved the way in fine-worsted suiting manufacture with its early speciality in fancy waistcoatings. Ben introduced his two sons into the business — trading as B.H. Moxon and Sons Ltd. On Ben's death, younger son Matthew took charge and he, jointly with the late Mr. Stanley Kinder, was responsible for building Southfield Mills in 1948 and designing a single-storey plant widely hailed as a "model" for the industry. The Tulketh Group acquired Moxon on the death of Mr. Matthew Moxon; for many years, Mr. Kinder ran the business as managing director, as well as holding the senior post in Tulketh's Yorkshire operations. Three years before Allied's takeover, Mr. Kinder left Moxon to be succeeded by Mr. Wood, then head designer, and Mr. Harry Parker. The partnership lasted for 13 years, during which period Part of the Sulzer weaving plant at Moxon's Kirkburton mill, especially adapted to handle Allied established its headquarters next the world's most expensive raw materials. to the Moxon plant. Moxon's workforce continues to be drawn mainly from Kirkburton and surrounding villages. The company has Moxon celebrates 100 benefited greatly from the corporate strength and financial expertise of the parent group. years in fancy trade Some five years ago, Allied and Moxon directors introduced a unique event in manufacturing — three interdependent MOXON, Huddersfield, flagship of businesses operating from within the one Allied Textile Companies' fine worsted site. Two processing units — weaving division, celebrates 100 years this month and finishing — now serve Moxon's — as ever, quietly and without elaborate traditional requirements while continuing ceremony yet with consummate satis- to operate as individually viable faction. production units with a capacity for There is much that the company could competitive commission business. beat the drum about. Southfield Mills Management report the scheme has by Alan Driscoll worked well. It gives Moxon the advantages of a conventional manu- boasts one of the best-equipped manu- facturing plant with close supervision facturing organisations in the industry, from on-site processing by skilled labour its design team and highly-skilled experienced in the precise requirements workforce renowned world-wide for of the business, yet without the need producing cloths of extraordinarily high continually to maintain activity during quality. the inevitable fluctuations of a seasonal Among Moxon's best-known products and cyclical trade. have been cloths with gold thread, The present workforce of roughly 100 monogrammed creations especially Mr. E. Colin Wood, managing director, produces a turnover which is consider- made for presidents and prime ministers, Moxon Huddersfield, fancy-worsted ably higher than that achieved by 250 as well as presentation lengths for weavers. people only a few years ago. royalty. Moxon arguably can claim a Mr. Wood echoed his quiet optimism closer identity with Savile Row's completion of one of the best spring/ about the future. "Our international wholesale merchanting elite than most in summer order-book campaigns we have trade continues to be influenced by wool textiles; equally, with some of the had for some time. Our workers have exchange rates, duties and many factors world's most eminent makers-up, and been superb." beyond our control," he observed. "But mainly for the reason that both groups Today, in his 20th year as managing the interest in our products continues to look to and have come to expect from it director, Mr. Wood continues to view be most encouraging. Throughout the creations which are luxurious, exciting the company's reputation as being built traumatic changes of the past decade, and outstandingly original. on service, fine fabrics and innovative Moxon has survived while competitors Southfield Mills was poised for its and varied design collections — in have failed. annual summer "Wakes" break when essence, as it was in Ben Moxon's "Moxon continues to thrive. Its Wool Record interviewed the company's pioneering days. worldwide reputation, I believe, has managing director, Mr. Colin Wood. "If The company recently commissioned never been higher. We are confident of ever there was a year when our people village historian Mr. Robert Carter to our future. To quote a well-known have roundly earned their holiday, it's try to uncover more facts about these British lady, we aim to go on, and on and this one," he said. "It marks the beginnings, and parish records have on, successfully into the next century."

5 BOOK REVIEW MOXON FAMILY RESEARCH TRUST LAUNCHED "Life with the Moxon Family" V. Moxon (privately published) The first annnual meeting of the Yorkshire and vicinity (Mr Don Moxon Moxon Family Research Trust was held and Mrs Hilda Clarke), Australia (Mr Vera Moxon's octavo book in at Oxford on Monday 23rd November Simon Moxon), New Zealand (Mr attractive red hardback cover 1987. The President, Dr Richard Richard E. Moxon and Mr Bryan with blocked gold lettering Moxon, was in the chair and present Moxon). Volunteers will be welcome extends to 104 pages with 25 also were Mr R. E. A. (Dick) Moxon, to widen the scope of research both photographs, 2 maps, 5 pen and Hon. Treasurer, Mr James Moxon, Hon. within named areas, without ink sketches and one reproduction Secretary, the Revd W. John Moxon unnecessary overlapping, and in less certificate of marriage. This is (co-opted) representing the Revd consistently researched areas e.g. of her father and mother, Michael Moxon of Tewkesbury Cambridgeshire, Cumbria, Greater Frederick William Edwin Moxon (unavoidably absent) and Mrs Joan London and the Home Counties. aged 25 and Margaret Arnold aged Rendall (co-opted) representing Mr In the first instance the results 21, who were married on June 2nd Simon Moxon of Brisbane (unavoidably of research as well as copies of 1903 at St Jude's Church, absent). photographs, portraits, homes etc Islington by the Vicar, the Revd The meeting took note of the would be held by the Hon. D. Bell Hankin. publication, since the exploratory Secretary/Archivist, but it was When four children (out meeting of 16th September 1986, of considered that in due course the of a total of 12) had been born "The Moxons of Yorkshire", more than services of a professional archivist to them at their Kilburn flat 300 copies of which have been would be an advantage and the they decided that they needed received by foundation subscribers, storage of family data on a more space and bought a brand new libraries, societies and friends. computerised basis. house in an unmade country road This is to be followed by the twice- Notice was taken of the fact that twelve miles from the centre of yearly "Moxon Magazine" from April 1987 had featured two memorable London in Kimberley Road (the 1988 onwards, which will ensure a Moxon anniversaries, both concerning name itself dates it to just regular flow of the results of the Revd George Moxon M.A. The 350th after 1900) at Chingford. The continuing Moxon research and of anniversary of his foundation of the nearest railway station was at Moxon news, correspondence and First Church of Christ at Spring- Hoe Street, Walthamstow, three to feature material. field, Massachusetts, in 1637 was four miles away, depending on The Hon. Secretary said that one followed by the 300th anniversary of whether you crossed the fields or early development had been the his foundation of the first Cong- took the road, and that was interest shown in the current Moxon regational Church at Congleton, Frederick's daily stint in fair research by members of the family Cheshire in the year of his death, weather and foul to catch the with alternative spellings, e.g. 1687. Both ceremonies were attended train to the City where he was Moxham, Moxon, Magson etc, who on behalf of the Moxon family by Mr manager of a leading meat packing almost certainly sprang from the James Moxon. firm from Smithfield Market. same stock, so that it was proposed The Hon. Treasurer made an But whether packing meat progressively to draw these into the appeal, through the Trustees and or not he was a happy man and circle. through the columns of the Moxon loved life and it was when he was A pattern for future research was Magazine, for the donation of funds returning from the races at Ascot discussed and it was agreed that to enable such research and data one summer evening that he met volunteer Moxon researchers should storage to be intensified beyond the hazel-eyed, curly fair-haired and accept responsibility for research - means of purely voluntary helpers. chic Margaret with whom he either solo or in groups - in their Prospects of future tours of instantly fell in love and then chosen areas, by counties or groups places of particular Moxon interest married. of counties, or by countries - the in Yorkshire were enhanced by the Vera's book, she forced whole to be co-ordinated in the existence of a fleet of coaches herself to write after first instance by the Hon. belonging to Moxon Tours of Worksop, successfully taking evening Secretary/Archivist. Notts, which the owner will gladly classes for some two years, is in An immediate start would be made make available as and when required. fact almost a model of its kind, to follow up existing research in It was thought that summer 1988 devoting half its length to the and beyond such areas as might see a start to this venture. social side of the countryside Leicestershire/Derbyshire/Lincoln- Before the meeting ended Trustees that they had come to live and be shire (Mrs Joan Rendall), Warwick- passed a vote of thanks to the born in - the haymaking and shire/Oxfordshire (the Revd W. John President and Mrs Marianne Moxon for milking that went on all around Moxon), Lancashire (Mr Ron Moxon), their very welcome hospitality. them, the Romany gypsy encampments with their wild horses, the Dolly Hole - a able to link him to a known Moxon Though Reg himself died in 1983 disused clay quarry that had pedigree and location. It is of the family business in Zimbabwe become a lake where picnics, interest that Victorian London is carried on by the next camping and fishing would take contained a number of successful generation of Moxons. place - and all the adventures of Moxon families - in Wimbledon, going to and from school some Twickenham, Highbury, Islington, three miles away across country. Leyton, Regents Park etc - with No School Buses in those days! The reader of "Life with little to link them, other than But every Boxing Day the whole the Moxon Family" has little to their name and their common family - all 14 of them (the question, for the story is told conductor asked them if they were Yorkshire origin. both fully and very readably. It a Sunday School outing) - would The other half of Vera is a pity though that there is no take the tram the hour's journey Moxon's book (she herself married Contents in order to summarise in to Highbury New Park to spend the Leslie Walter and now lives at advance the interesting chapter day with Frederick's mother and Westcliffe-on-Sea) gives detailed headings such as "Florence aunties and cousins in her sketches of the lives, loves and Nightingale of Kimberley Road" (a nineteen-roomed Victorian mansion families of her eleven brothers superb tribute to Mother), "The where the curtains were of rich and sisters and of course of her Dolly Hole", "Down Memory Lane" red velvet and the table beloved Father and Mother who, in (when what was to become "The coverings hanging with "pom spite of difficulties (the North Circular Road" sliced poms". It was Christmas all over importation of frozen meat from across their fields in the again, with turkey and pudding New Zealand made Frederick Moxon 1920s) and "Our Christmas Party". and mince pies, and party games redundant), brought up their And it is sad too that Vera, who in the afternoon before the Sunday School family to be tells us so much about the rest sandwiches, trifles and Christmas exemplary citizens. of the family, has been reticent cake at tea time. To read more about this in telling her own story. Of her fascinating family it is tom-boy school days we learn Frederick's father had necessary to buy the book, some much, but of her adult life with been a Naval Architect who had details of which are given below. Leslie Walter we are assisted in the design of One sample will have to suffice. tantalisingly deprived! Sadly, Sheerness Dockyard. Top-hatted Reg, the second son, matriculated Leslie died in January 1988. and frock-coated he was a dignified figure and seems to at Christ's Hospital School and have been from a family of qualified for Cambridge substance. But there is now no University, but difficult times But "Life with the Moxon tradition in the family of the at home made this impossible to antecedents of this successful realise. Instead he went into Family" is a real pleasure to man and it is to be hoped that shipping and made a successful read and can be obtained from Mrs readers of the Moxon Magazine life for himself in Kenya and V.R. Walter, 213 Prittlewell will in the course of time be later in Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe. Chase, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex. 6 MARTYN for YORKSHIRE and ENGLAND YORKS FEAR CALL-UP IS PREMATURE By DEREK HODGSON ARTYN MOXON'S selec- tion was no surprise to thMe Yorkshire dressing room at Luton yesterday but there SPIRIT OF ACHIEVEMENT AWARD was a shade of regret amid The Beefeater Spirit of Achievement Award for June was won the congratulations. To a man Yorkshire would have by Martyn Moxon of Yorkshire who was the chief inspiration preferred Moxon to have for his team's remarkable burst of success which took them Ever since 1981 Martyn Moxon of been saved for Sri Lanka in to the top of the Championship table and into the Benson and August and India next winter. Yorkshire has been making Hedges Cup Final. cricketing headlines. On 6th June Philip Sharpe, in his dual capa- city as selector and Yorkshire Apart from his Gold Award winning 97 in the semi-final of that year this 21 year old committeeman, was told very against Surrey, Moxon began the month with Championship Yorkshireman scored 116 playing firmly recently that Lord's was against Essex, which was the too soon. Either Sharpe dis- scores of 82, 130, 88 not out, 36 and 104, the two centuries first century for 60 years scored agreed, or was outvoted at yes- contributing handsomely towards impressive victories by an by a county player making his terday morning's selection innings against Derbyshire and by nine wickets against the committee. first debut. Three months later Yorkshire captain David Bair- reigning Britannic Champions, Essex. playing for Yorkshire against Sri stow is emphatic: "I happen Moxon has responded spendidly this season to the Lanka he took 3 wickets for 5 to think that Martyn is the disappointment of losing his Test place towards the end of runs in 9 balls. The cricket best young opening batsman in last year and missing the tour of Australia. His partnership correspondents were using such England. He has every chance of beooming one of the great with Ashley Metcalfe has proved a positive, attractive and words as "diligent", names in the game. "impeccable", "elegant" and "I am not afraid that he will effective one, bearing comparison with their Lancashire "courtly grace" about his play. fai. But I think that the selec- rivals Fowler and Mendis and with Broad and Robinson, the But later in September he was tors are risking giving him a current England pair, from Nottingham. injured when playing against demoralising experience in what is after all his first full For so spiritedly resurrecting a faltering career, Martyn Northamptonshire and the end of season." Moxon has won a case of 24 bottles of ready mixed gin and season verdict was "a first Privately. "Froggy" (the tonics and if he maintains his form he must also be in the summer of high excitement and nickname arises from spec- running for the award of £1,000 at the end of the season. deep disappointment". tacles he wore before switching to contact lenses in The following year he was described as "too accomplished 1981) would probably agree for a second team cricketer". and it is perhaps a sign of his maturity, 24 last month, In 1983 Martyn Moxon that his public comment was could not secure a place in the eminently sensible: "No one Yorkshire side until Lamb was has he right to pick and choose when he wants to play injured but in August, in his for England. Being selected is first ever Roses Match (Yorks vs still the greatest achievement Lancs), he scored a superb 153. in a player's career." In 1984 he was described No one questions his class or application. He stands 6ft, as having "a thin start to this weighs 13 stone 10lbs and was summer" but generally speaking the first Yorkshire player to the press looked upon him as score centuries in his opening being carefully and unhurriedly two Championship matches. He added another century in his groomed by Yorkshire for the first Roses match and after future. He had yet to play a full a thin start to this summer season for his county. But after he is now on 500 runs and he scored 90 against has been a consistently heavy scorer recently. Northamptonshire in June he was His England cap follows almost called up to play for England in exactly a month after his the Second Test against the West Yorkshire cap and there are Indies at Lords but those who say that had he disappointingly had to withdraw been retained in Yorkshire's team, after that dazzling start due to a cracked rib he had in 1981, he would not be truly meanwhile suffered. And bad luck ready to open for England. continued to dog his new success Moxon has an impeccable crick- for after he had been picked to eting bacckground both his father and grandfather being tour India in September he first outstanding league players in fell ill in Sri Lanka and then in South Yorkshire and he was November had to return to England one of the several youngsters where his father was dying. whose career has been sup- ported and forwarded by the But by 1985 he was well devotees of the Wombwell into his stride again for in the Cricket Lovers' Society. 2nd innings of the Roses Match in If his defence is modelled on Boycott, his driving is remini- August he scored 127, passing scent of Gooch. He is a cap 1000 runs for the season which able medium pace bowler who included four centuries. can use the seam and he has When Yorkshire played recently established himself as Yorkshire's first slip. India in July 1986 Martyn Moxon Modest, quiet, he is an achiever; became the ninth Yorkshire three A levels, eight O levels, cricketer to score two centuries a business diploma and an in a single match, and the first NCA coaching certificate. He spent two years in a bank, ever against a touring side (the has one steady girlfriend and other nine had included Hutton, will be, one suspects very Sutcliffe and Boycott). The same much David Gower's kind of month he was again selected for player. England and won his first cap when he scored 74 at Lords with which he truly dominates against New Zealand. But towards opposing attacks prevents him the end of the year he lost his from forcing himself into the Test place and missed the tour of England side". Perhaps he may Austra1ia. count himself lucky that he Martyn Moxon's excellent hadn't forced himself into the 1987 performance is described on ill-fated tour of Pakistan of Above left: What the "Daily this page in the Beefeater Spirit late 1987. Telegraph had to say about Martyn of Achievement Award citation and 1988 sees him playing as Moxon in 1984. in August he was called for the well as ever in New Zealand and Above: The "Beefeater Award" Fifth Test match. in Centenary Australia and he reported in "The Cricketer" in Of Martyn Moxon the Daily takes the good wishes of his 1987. Telegraph Cricket Year Book for proud Yorkshire kinsmen with him 1988 states "Only the infrequency wherever he goes. TRUST FUND APPEAL The Trustees aim At the Trustees' meeting in I emphasise this as the therefore to be able to draw from Oxford in November (see report on Trustees foresee a steady growth the Trust Fund up to £3,000.00 in page 6) I formally opened the in the already fast proliferating the first instance in order to appeal for the Moxon Family extent of submission of Moxon invest in the necessary Research Trust Fund and all those pedigrees and family histories, "hardware" and "software" to enable the programme to make a present responded instantly with particularly as the bi-annual sound start. Thereafter a regular a donation which happily gets the circulation of much of this report will appear in these Fund off to a very creditable material in the columns of "The columns in order to keep our start. Moxon Magazine" broadens interest. subscribers and benefactors Donations to date: It is already becoming abreast of progress. Prof Richard Moxon £25.00 pressing that we start to store My appeal therefore as The Revd. John Moxon £25.00 this material on computer and our Treasurer of the Moxon Family Mrs Joan Rendall (nee Moxon) £20.00 advisers in this matter (Moxons Research Trust is to invite all Mr James Moxon £25.00 of course) recommend that the those who feel that they can do Mr R.E.A. Moxon £25.00 Trustees purchase an appropriate so to make in the first instance Mr Simon Moxon (Brisbane) £25.00 computer into which the data may a donation to the Fund to enable I have opened a bank not only be fed and stored but us to meet our initial capital account in the name of the Trust within which it can co-ordinate expenditure, with perhaps a with Barclays Bank PLC, 425/427 and inter-relate individual modest annual subscription Shirley Road, Southampton S09 1LE pedigrees into much broader thereafter so that we can budget and donations may either be made regional patterns. Progressively for the best possible use on a by direct transfer or through me, we shall all be able to draw upon regular basis of our little data as Treasurer. We are of course this Central Moxon Bank for a bank and its sources. gratefully open to all manner of much clearer picture of the My address is Mr R.E.A. donations and subscriptions, e.g. overall Moxon pedigree structure, Moxon, Hon Treasurer, Moxon covenants, legacies, direct as well as our own particular Family Research Trust, 132 debits, bankers orders and branches. Howards Grove, Shirley, outright gifts. Southampton, SO1 5PT. R.E.A.M.

Dear Editor, Reply: Dear Mrs Paul, I collect commemorative No sleepless nights for QUERIES pottery. Recently at the Newark me as I am familiar with this Antigue Fair I bought a beaker interesting commemorative beaker Mrs Sylvia Merrett (nee Moxon), which fascinated me. It's a white from two sources - each of them Aylesbury, Bucks (No. 25) earthenware beaker with handle the great grandson of William I am descended from Barnsley and a gold rim top and bottom. On Moxon of Swindle Hill, Grange folk. Great grandfather Charles it is a picture in black and Moor, Mirfield and of his brother Moxon born Ardsley 1817; his shades of grey of a farmhouse John Moxon of Clough Gate, Grange father John Moxon born Ardsley with a slate or stone roof, Moor. It seems that these two 1786 and married Martha Wood in mullioned windows and a snug brothers who came from Jack Lane, DarfieId Parish Church 1811; his front porch. It has two tall Pudsey near Leeds accepted a father Thomas Moxon. I would like chimneys and on the side wall is contract in 1796 to repair the to be in touch with other a lean to. Behind it is a stone roof of Thornhill Parish Church, Barnsley Moxons who may be barn with two supporting near Dewsbury and two years later related to me. buttresses. The house and the took up residence on Grange Moor barn are enclosed at the front by where in 1802 they established Mr J.C. Moxon, Wilmslow, Cheshire a stone wall and a five-bar gate themselves as Joiners, Builders, (No. 74) The Revd George Henry and in the background are a mass Undertakers and Wheelwrights. Moxon (pictured here) was born in of tall trees. Underneath the When the business was 100 1832 and died at Barnet, Herts in picture is the inscription: years old their sons had some 1903. He was survived by his wife William Moxon 1802-1902. There is commemorative plates, cups, Eva Mathilda and three sons one no maker's mark. The stall owner saucers and mugs made ana some of of whom was my father. He is said he came from Preston and he these are in the possession of believed to have been married thought he had bought it locally. each branch of the family today. three times, for when he married Please can you shed any light on The farm house at the foot of Sarah Waller Telford in Toronto William Moxon 1802-1902 or, like Swindle Hill still stands and is in 1871 he was described as a me, will you have sleepless now the headguarters of Moxon widower. It is not known who his nights? Plant Hire. first wife was or whether there Kind regards, Jennifer J. M. were any children. And it is not Paul. (Holbeach, Spalding) known when he arrived in Toronto (where he was ordained deacon and priest) though it is believed that he had part of his education in Germany. And it is not known who his parents were or where they came from. The last 25 years of his life were spent as a priest in England and on the continent. Any information most welcome. (Right: The Revd George Henry Moxon, b. 1832, d. 1903. Photo taken in France, c. 1889.)

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The cost of subscribing to "The Moxon Magazine" is £5.00 per In Our Next Issue annum (post free U.K.) which [continued from page 1] covers two issues (April and October) each year. Extra copies Magson M.A., first Headmaster of or back numbers may be ordered at Hawkshead Grammar School, where The Moxon Magazine £2.50 per copy (add 10% for Wordsworth was later a pupil. overseas airmail postage). Send And - if you're planning a Editor: James Moxon, M.A., O.B.E. your orders to "The Moxon wild buffalo Safari in Central Published by Moxon Paperbacks of Magazine", c/o Tortoise Shell Africa in the near future - read Ludlow and designed, typed and Press, 28 Corve Street, Ludlow, what John Moxon, the black-white printed by The Tortoise Shell Shropshire SY8 1DA. Sterling or big game hunter has to suggest. Press, 28 Corve Street, Ludlow, U.S. dollar chegues made out to Shropshire, SY8 1DA. Copyright Moxon Paperbacks. Issue No. 2, October 1988 Reserved - 1988. 8