The From The Editor…. Binns Family Newsletter What’s New

Autumn 2005 B I am delighted to report much valuable data on us know if you find any

that the Binns Family the Binns families of Guis- i item to be particularly

w e b s i t e a t ley, Yorkshire has been n interesting or have any www.thebinnsfamily.org. added to our data base. comment to make about uk continues to attract a any of the content. You n good deal of attention. With regard to funds, I can be sure to get a reply Since the last Binns am happy to say that we

if you write to either me s Connections was distrib- continue to be able to or your co-editor and you

uted we have made all print and distribute hard don’t need to include a previous Binns News copies of News Letters. C stamped addressed en- Letters available for Feedback on the contents velope.

download from the site. of Binns Connections can o Best wishes to you all. Thanks to the painstak- only be describes as dis- David Binns, Editor

ing efforts of Mike Binns, appointing. Please do let n

n e

We‘d love to hear from you…… please give us feedback c

t

i o

T. David Binns, Alan P. Binns, n 103 Haswell Gardens, 518 Colne Road,

North Shields, Reedley, s

Tyne & Wear, Burnley, NE30 2DR. BB10 2DL.

Inside this issue:

Letter from America concludes 2 A Rude Awakening 9

Poetry Corner 4 A Tragic Event 9

Pipe Organ 4 Poor Maud’s Father 10

Jack Robinson Binns ancestry/Impressario Updates 5 Snippets 10

Sporting Binns’ 6/7 Spare Certificates & Who’s Who ? 11

Kangaroo Valley 7 Sir Henry Binns KCMG 12

Australian Roots in Cowling 8 Finally & Don’t Forget the We bsite 12

Number 10 Letter from America concludes………...

loaders, some of them monsters, Here is the third and final instalment of a but sadly out of date. Fort Winfield letter written by Arthur William Binns (1858- Scott is situated on the point of 1931) in 1890 from Springfield, Ohio to his land that forms the southern wall parents Wilkinson and Martha Binns, of of the Golden Gate. The entrance to the Bay is about ½ mile wide, so Oakworth, near Keighley, Yorkshire. In the the guns at this place command taken with it myself. letter he describes a visit he made to the passage. The Fort is built of After dinner that evening I met California under the auspices of The Granite and iron. It has three gun Frank Rennie for the last time be- Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and platforms and places for light guns fore starting east. We sort of made Engineers. The original letter is now sadly on the roof. On the inside the it up to meet in Chicago in 1892 all lost but this early transcription was made by floors are arched and supported being well. He told me that he Joyce Kidd, to whom the editor is most by big granite pillars. There are would introduce me to a new dish grateful. entrances to the magazines on that would keep our friendship each floor. I think there are about warm. We went to a restaurant After dinner we took the cars to go 100 guns in the place about 8 and he ordered some tamales. He out to visit the Presidio, Fort inches bore muzzle loaders per- explained that they were a Mexi- Winfield Scott and the Golden haps 20 feet long. A modern Iron can dish, and were much es- Gate. The Presidio is the first clad with her 80 ton guns would teemed by some of the people of place on the bay that was settled bring the whole place down in ten Frisco. They came to the table all by the Spaniards. It is about three minutes. It was a famous place hot. They looked like a bunch of miles from the centre of the city, when it was built 30 years ago, but long leaves tied at both ends, and and is about a mile east of the it is only useful for a show place at a string round the middle. The Golden Gate. It is at the present the present day. On the headland leaves are the husks of Indian time a Military Reservation of the above it they are making earth- corn. We took our forks and went U.S. There are large barracks for works and putting big breech load- to work to dissect them. First came different branches of the services. ers in them, so that they will not two or three layers of leaves, then The grounds near the officers need to get in a panic for fear of a inside was a little pudding about quarters are laid out with nice Chinese iron clad coming to bom- the size and shape of a sausage. flower beds and grass plots, but bard San Francisco. At the time of Inside, the pudding was filled with the quarters of the men look the Chinese exclusion act passing hot spices and a piece of chicken, somewhat forlorn. I did not see 1888, the people of Frisco were it tasted first rate, but it nearly many soldiers about, I suppose terrified lest a Chinese fleet should burnt the skin off your mouth. I they were all at work. After looking come over to argue the point. would not doubt that they would do about for a while we started for- They could scarcely sleep. I guess famously for a bad cold. After this ward to Fort Winfield Scott. It was they feel better now. The Union we walked round the streets until one of the longest miles I ever Ironworks Co. of San Francisco midnight, then shook hands and walked across the salt meadows. are now at work building Men-of- went our respective ways, to meet We passed the Lifeboat Station War for Uncle Sam, so they ought again in 92 at the Exposition if and went in and saw the boats and to be able to fix up something to possible. I went back to the Hotel rocket apparatus. Everything was take care of themselves. After gaz- and packed up my traps ready for as clean as paint and elbow ing our fill at the Golden Gate, and the return trip. We were to leave grease could make it. Some time watching several ships go by, we San Francisco at 7 a.m. in the last year, during a fog, a steamer started back for town. I think the morning, to catch the train at Oak- called the City of Chester was run mile from the Fort to the Presidio land for the east. I tumbled into down and sunk, right opposite the was about equal to three ordinary bed and took three or four hours boat house. Some of the people miles. My poor feet suffered terri- sleep, to brace me up for my jour- on her had taken breakfast in bly, but we got over it somehow. I ney. We were up early next morn- Frisco and were back there for was glad when we got back to the ing and ate our breakfast with a their dinner. Others went down in place for street cars. We had a relish, our appetites were not spoilt their cabins and were taken out fine view of the bay as we were by being journey proud. The last I afterwards by divers. The day we going back. It looks splendid with saw of San Francisco was as she were there, it was difficult to imag- its ships and islands with the dis- was swallowed up in the mist that ine that such a calamity could tant mountains for a background. I was hanging round. We arrived in have occurred and leave no trace. think I could have looked at it a Oakland in due time and took our We passed yards where there whole day and not been tired. I am seats in the train. The journey to were scores of cannons and gun not surprised at Californians think- Sacramento was accomplished by carriages. They were old muzzle ing so much of their state. I was 11 a.m. Here wemet ne of the

Page 2 BINNS CONNECTIONS Letter from America cont…………….

delegates that had started out a big building of the Crystal Pal- the evening before, Wm. Merkle ace style. It was one division of their exhibit look nice, if it is noth- of St. Louis, Mo. We joined the State Fair containing the Arts, ing but shovels and horseshoes. forces and went to dinner. That Manufactures etc. This turned out There was one stall showed noth- was always our first point of in- to be what we had been seeking ing but nails, but they were worked terest, a place to eat. A country in the afternoon. There were fine up into fancy patterns. You looks much better when gazed exhibits of the products of the stopped to look at the designs and at over a full stomach. The Cali- state. In the machinery dept. there you could not help but notice their fornia State Fair was in pro- were steam pumps, windmills, nails, if they had just been set out gress, so we started to take it in. traction engines, threshing ma- in boxes, no one would have We rode out on the street cars chines, reapers and mowers and looked at them. The building was to the fair grounds. We looked all other kind of agricultural ma- lit up by numerous electric lights, round for the exhibit of machin- chinery. The machine that struck so everything showed off to good ery and produce but could not me most was the “Reaper King” advantage. We stayed at the Pavil- find them, so we stared at the for cutting wheat. The machine ion until ten o’clock, as our train Bulls, cows, goats, pigs, poultry, requires 30 horses to pull it, it cuts did not leave till midnight. etc. till we were tired. We then a swathe 20 feet wide, gathers up To turn back a little. I will say that went to the place where the the straw, thrashes it and sepa- Sacramento is a curious looking races were going on. It did not rates the grain from the chaff, and town. All the houses have big take us long to get tired of that. runs the grain into bags ready for verandas that come to the edge of We started back into town, and market. This machine is made at the sidewalk, so when you are what we had to say of the State the Benica Agricultural works on walking along in the business part Fair was not very complimen- Benica Bay. There are some of town you are under shelter. In tary. We next went to the South- smaller ones made but the “King” the residence part, the houses ern Pacific Shops, where the is the one used on the big have lots of shade, in the shape of Railway Co. does all their repair- ranches. A machine of that kind verandas, and the gardens are ing of Engines, cars etc. They would be no use in Ohio where filled with flowers. Palm trees grow are very large shops and filled the farms are smaller. There were out in the open air, from 10 to 30 with machinery of the most im- a few exhibits of Springfield firms, feet high, so that speaks well for proved pattern. There are saw- but not so many as I expected to the mildness of the winters. They mills, foundries, blacksmiths, see. The Art Galleries were large have a very fine courthouse and I boiler and machine shops. They and well lighted. There was a think the State Capitol is here. must employ a large number of show of pictures and statuary that With all its pleasant places I do not hands. It took us two hours to go you would scarcely expect to see think I should like to live at Sacra- through. Near the shop is a in a pioneer country. One would mento, it is too flat and there are piece of stagnant water 5 or 6 think there would be no time for marshes for miles to the west and acres. The natives call it Lake such things. But anyone coming to south of it. Marshes may be good Como, and grin. It used to pro- California and expecting to find a for ducks and geese, but they are duce lots of malaria, and at place barely civilized would be not very healthy for men and times half the men in the shops agreeably disappointed. There women, still the death rate is said would be sick. The Railway Co. was a fine band discoursing sweet to be very low and I suppose that procured a lot of Australian Gum music, as the newspapers say, is what they judge the healthiness Trees and planted them around and lots of other attractions. The of a place by. We bought our tin of the shops. The malaria has dis- firm that Frank Rennie is with, had oysters and some biscuits to get appeared. They are also dump- an exhibit there. It was put up in ready for starvation etc. and then ing all their ashes and rubbish the shape of a portable house. All took our way to the depot. We left into Lake Como so in course of the decorations and trimmings Sacramento at 12.25 and promptly time it will be a thing of the past. were made of tools, guns, and all fell asleep, to be continued in our Our next meal was dinner 6 p.m. kinds of ironmongery, standing a next. We met a lot of Brotherhood little piece off it looks as though it I am going to send Leslie’s off in a men, they asked us if we had were painted in fancy patterns, but few days, also pamphlet of Mon- been to the Pavilion, we asked get up close and you see different. terey. The Xmas cards came O.K. what that was, they told us and I have never been to an exhibition we were pleased to be remem- we concluded to take that in. We at London, so I do not know what bered. I intend getting the long came across an Indian camp on they do there, but judging from talked of camera, next month. our way there. There were what I have seen, the people here With best love to all, we remain, probably 300 of them, big and show a lot more taste in getting up yours affectionately, little. They had come to town to an attractive show. They will make Arthur and Emma visit the State Fair. When we got their exhibit look nice, if it is noth- to the Pavilion, we found it to be ing but shovels and horseshoes.

Page 3 BINNS CONNECTIONS Poetry Corner

Sonnet to Williams and Binns

Williams and Binns, the youthful patriots, Have sternly dared the tyrant’s iron frown, With manly fortitude- such as shall crown Them with a people’s heartfelt thanks, mid notes Of unexampled gratitude- from throats Whence emanate a nation’s voice, and show The people’s strength, that lays in justice low, And set up truth, the bane of all despots, Like opening flowers in some unsheltered spot, They bend beneath the bitter pelting storm; Still Springs rude blast will shortly be forgot. Its rage is past- it ceases to deform. Soon you will struggle through life’s mingled doom, Knowing that after death ‘tis yours to bloom.

by James Vernon

Published in the Northern Star, February 13th 1844.

Superb Binns Pipe Organ 1912

James Jepson Binns and the or- “Currently dismantled and in stor- The organ has pedal, great and gans for which he was renowned age, when assembled the dimen- swell departments with a total of featured in Binns Connections sions of this organ are; total width 19 stops. 12' 6", depth 10ft., height 18ft. Number 8. In the summer of 2005, If you want to hear what a Binns central tower, 13ft. outer towers. one of his organs was offered for organ sounds like you could pur- Swell box: Height 7'9".Width 9ft. sale on the internet auction site chase the CD called ‘The Sym- Depth 4'6" ebay. The following details that phonic Organ’ from Priory Records “Built in 1912 for a church in Brid- have been extracted from the in- Cat. No: PRCD 479 on which gend, Glamorgan and situated in a formation offered by the seller give Adrian Partington plays the re- gallery at rear of the pulpit. The some idea of the size and quality stored Binns organ of the Albert Console stop type is knobs with of what is said to be an incredibly Hall, Nottingham. impressive organ. Ivory Labels”.

Page 4 BINNS CONNECTIONS The Ancestry of Jack Robinson Binns

As related in Binns Connections Wrawby, Lincolnshire on the 16th No. 9, Jack Robinson Binns September 1884, but by the time gained fame for being the first to his mother Mary Anna married use wireless telegraphy for sum- Fred Gamble at Holbeck near moning help to rescue passengers Leeds in December, 1891, she had from a sinking transatlantic liner in two daughters, Laura and Annie. In 1905. the census of 1891 Mary Anna Binns was recorded as an unmar- Virginia Utermohlen, grand- Sadly, his claim to the Binns sur- ried housekeeper living in the daughter of Jack and Alice, re- name rest only on the maiden home Fred Gamble in Grimsby. members that during and after name of his mother Mary Anna Also present were her daughters, WW 2 her family packed and sent Binns, who was born at Brigg in Laura Gamble, age two, and four th food parcels to family in England Lincolnshire on the 17 February month old Annie Gamble. and in 1949 she and her family 1864. Her parents were John visited aunts, uncles, and cousins Binns, who was born at Ashby, In the same census, Jack Robin- in England. In return the English Lincolnshire, in about 1816, and son Binns was recorded living with aunts knitted sweaters which Ann, probably also a Binns, who his Uncle William Binns, his were sent to Virginia and her sis- was born about 1825 in Whel- mother’s brother, in Peterborough. ter Grace. The last visit Jack and drake, Yorkshire. Interestingly, his family made to England was John was the son of William Binns The identity of Jack’s father is in 1954 or 1955 who originated in Escrick, near therefore open to speculation but it York and only about 4 miles from seems most likely to have been a Jack died in New York in 1957. Wheldrake, which provides strong Mr.Robinson, who for some un- evidence that this Binns family known reason “disappeared” that emigrated to Lincolnshire shortly after Jack was born. from the York area maintained contact with their home ground After Jack settled in New York he over a period of at least ten years. married a New Yorker, Alice Ann John Robinson Binns, always MacNiff and they had two daugh- known as Jack, was born in the ters, Grace A, and Alice Virginia. Brigg Union Workhouse at We are indebted to Nicola Pike for providing much of the above information.

Impressario Ernest Binns

No more sightings of the Bradford Pavillion in Bradford in 1921 and a based inpressario,Ernest Binns, year later at the Shay Gardens in have been reported since his Halifax as a pierrot.” mention in Binns Connections No. Another very well-known Northern 9. However C. J. Mellor, in his comedian, Albert Modley, was book “The Northern Music Hall”, highly regarded by Ernest, who pre- attributes the ‘discovery’ of Max sented him to the Morecambe holi- Miller to Ernest who “gave him a day makers during the 1930 sea- break at the old Lidget Green son.

Page 5 BINNS CONNECTIONS Sporting Binns

Rugby Simon Binns

Your editor makes no claims to sporting fame but was pleased to hear of the progress of Simon Binns on the Rugby field. His grandmother Lilian Vere talked proudly of him when I visited her in York during the summer. Since then I’ve learned a little about some other Binns’ and their sporting exploits. For instance…………….

Tennis V. Binns I’m happy to report that V. Binns was the joint winner, with S. Gomer of the Howe Trophy, a silver plated cup presented to the winners of the Exeter under 16 Open Junior Girls Doubles Tournament. A previous winner was J. Jury and I believe that S. Gomer too was once a British hopeful. Alas, in spite of this early promise shown by V. Binns in 1979, there is no record of her winning the Ladies Singles at Wimbledon.

Cricket Alfred Philip Binns

As you might expect the Binns family are represented on the cricket field. Alfred Philip Binns appeared in 5 Test Matches for the West Indies. He was wicket keeper and right-hand bat, born in Kingston Jamaica 24 July 1929. He played in five tests comprising eight innings, scored 66 runs and was not out once. He made his test debut against India at Port of Spain 21st Jan 1953 and his last test match appearance was against New Zealand on 9th Mar 1956 in Auckland.

Racing E.Binns

The Sport of Kings has also had some attention from our family. In the early dec- ades of the 20th Century, horsesby the names of “Hunt Supper”, “Kings Letter”, and “Frequent” raced at various courses, including Lincoln, Newcastle, Liverpool, and York, in the colours of Mr. E. Binns .

Swimming H.W. & M.A. Binns

At about the same time H. W. Binns and M. A. Binns were distinguishing them- selves in the swimming pool, as representatives of the “Otters”, a London based club, in both individual and team events.

Football L.F. Binns

Meanwhile, at Harrow, L.F. Binns was playing football and cricket for the School.

Page 6 BINNS CONNECTIONS

Skating Champion Arnold Binns

We have our very own former World Champion in the form of Arnold Binns (b. 1884) who came from Hebden Bridge. In June 1930, he skated non-stop for 40 hours 13 minutes at Burnley – a world endurance record and in July the same year, he skated 912½ miles from John O' Groats to Land's End. Some months later, he skated for 61 hours 18 minutes at Preston – living on tripe, eggs, milk and Horlicks. In 1933, he skated for 177 hours 13 minutes only to break this record by 2 hours in a session at Batley. Arnold looks dressed more ap- propriately for golf rather than skating. Perhaps he was hop- ing, in his spare time, to compete for The Binns Cup, a trophy presented to the winner of the Denbigh County Golf Champi- onship.

Kangaroo Valley

Bill Mirfield has very kindly passed on this information that he dis- cov ered while visiting Kangaroo Valley, in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales.

Bill noticed two photographs in the Historical Museum. What par- In 1872 the first School Board was The Descendants Book for the ticularly interested Bill was that the elected and included among the church contains the signatures of pictures were of Christopher John five members was Richard Binns, Kennith Binns, a great great Binns and his son Richard. the eldest son of Christopher who grandson of Christopher Binns and Enquiries revealed that Christo- farmed close by at Beaumont of Ian Binns, a great grandson of pher and a man named Huxley where he raised a large family. All Christopher Snowden Binns. had settled on a farm in Kangaroo his children were baptized at the Bill was touched to learn that the Valley some time before 1860, Church of The Good Shepherd, lady who looks after the Historical after which Christopher sold his which was Church of England. Society in Kangaroo Valley was land and became a builder. In Included in the subscribers toward born on the farm that Christopher 1869 he secured the contract to the building of the church had Binns bought in the mid-nineteenth build the first school in Kangaroo been Mr. Binns, R. H. Binns, and century. Valley at a cost of £212. In May, W. Binns. The appearance of the name the same year, he informed the Snowden in this story may indicate council that he would not be able a Cowling origin for some of these to finish on schedule due to prob- people. lems with materials and then in October he had a severe fall which laid him up for a month. The school finally opened in 1871, ini- tially with eight pupils but after only three weeks numbers had swollen to twenty-seven.

Page 7 BINNS CONNECTIONS Australian Roots in Cowling Fred Binns

– We wish to thank Arthur Evans for writing this interesting account of his Uncle Fred and the discovery of new cousins in Australia.

WW1 When John Binns (b.1814) of father, via the internet and the Cowling married Phoebe Smith at Cowling web site. from the Japanese" on the 20th Skipton Registry Office in Septem- I was then in a position to tell her August 1945.He remained in hos- ber 1850 his son James by a for- of her family’s roots in Cowling pital, sometimes aboard hospital mer wife was already in his mid- and we exchanged photos and ships, until discharged in July teens. James married Caroline information about her father. I was 1946. Thompson at Bolton Abbey even able to tell her of a brother Anne’s story is also rather tragic Chapel in 1858 and they settled in Donald she never knew. Remarka- as she was in an orphanage from Burnsall where they raised a fam- bly her “new” brother Donald was 4 months old till she was 18 when ily of five sons and two daughters living not far from her brother Ge- she had a child who was taken between 1859 and 1881. Their rald. from her, and lived not far from youngest son, Arthur (b. 1870) I put her in touch with Donald’s her, near her other daughters but married Rosetta Barrett in 1896 son Gary who was also living in she did not find this out till 43 and Fred Binns was the first prod- the Brisbane area. years had passed. uct of their union. Fred had kept in touch over the Gerald too was in an orphanage Fred turned out to be a colourful years with his eldest sister Lily and but went to live with his father character and it is his story that is youngest brother George and briefly at some time maybe after outlined below. when my mother, Mary, George’s the war. Fred Binns managed to enlist in twin sister, gave birth to a son, me, Anne who has six children, ten the West Yorks Regiment around George passed the news on to grandchildren, and up to now three 1916 at the start of World War I Fred. It was 1940 and the last time great-grandchildren of her own but had the misfortune to be cap- we ever heard from Fred. When has now discovered another tured by the Germans and ended he wrote his congratulations to my brother and ten cousins thanks to up in a prisoner of war camp mother and father he added, her determination to unravel her (details not known). After his re- "I suppose you got a shock to family history. lease he married Maude Barnsley learn that I had again joined the I met Fred’s son Donald 10 years in 1921 and in 1926 they immi- army. Well it would appear that the ago and was told that Fred had grated to Australia with their son old spirit of adventure is still alive died in 1976. Donald (b.1922). He travelled with me and as you will see by the After the war Fred had become a around a lot and wrote home to his photo I am sending you under Jehova’s Witness and all contact youngest brother Jack (b. 1916) in separate cover. I am looking in with the family was severed. When 1930. Part of this letter has been fine condition and believe me, I I asked about his father’s experi- found by Jacks daughter feel as well as I look, and if fate ences he told me that awful things and recounts his travels from Syd- decrees I must once more have a had happened to him and he ney up through Queensland to smack at "Jerry", well I think I can would not talk about them. It was settle in the far north. A transcript give as good an account as I did good to meet my cousin for the of one of his letters mentions sev- last time, the difference being I first time and hopefully I may meet eral place names and provides a think there is really something to my "new" cousins someday. vivid account of the wild life and fight for this time"Fred enlisted scenery. initially in the Home Defence but Fred’s account of travel from New South He eventually worked in the Mount later was shipped overseas to Sin- Wales to his home in the north of Isa copper mining region in Queensland will appear in the next gapore. Number of Binns Connections. Queensland, but his letters make His son Donald, who was now no mention of his wife Maude. eighteen years old, was a ground Whatever became of Maude we engineer in the Australian Air-force may never know, but Fred met up during the war. with a lady called Florence Harte Anne obtained all Fred’s army re- with whom he had two children, cords and although they require Gerald (b. 1932) in Mount Isa and some deciphering they recount a Anne Rosetta (b. 1936) in Bris- horrendous catalogue of hospital bane. Fred’s complex family life visits in various location in the remained a mystery until January Malayan peninsular and Java 2004 when Anne Rosetta (now where he was a prisoner of war Coverdale) finally sought out her from 1942 until he was "recovered WW2

Page 8 BINNS CONNECTIONS A Rude Awakening in Kansas W.F.Binns

Lincoln Beacon, April 1885

Last Tuesday morning at 5 o’clock, went through. The silly remarks in face and his hands badly blistered, W.F. Binns, proprietor of the the Banner about M.A. McIlvaine and as he is unable to work the Binns’ House, in this place, built a are lying and unjust. He left his Beacon is short of help this week. fire in his kitchen stove and while room with his companions and had Hard work alone saved Cool- he was at work in another part of he hesitated for a second to hunt baugh’s store, Robinsons’s Red the house, the ceiling of the in the blinding smoke for his Livery and all the adjacent busi- kitchen and the upper floor caught clothes, would never have left the ness part of town. Large quantities fire from a defective flue. Hearing building alive. He was the last one of fire were blown down 4th street a suspicious noise and smelling to awake and for that reason alone and whirled up the alleys and sev- smoke, Mr. Binns returned to the saved none of his effects. Every eral fires lighted by these embers kitchen only to find the upper part person in the building had a close were extinguished on the north in flames. He immediately devoted call and all lost something, and side a quarter of a mile away. It all his energies to rousing the in- none got out fully dressed. In addi- was the subject of general con- mates, 22 in number. A few were tion to the clothes each lost, Mead gratulations that the erection of the awake when the fire started but a Hughes lost $10 cash, E. Biggs new Beacon office has been de- heavy south wind was behind the $49.50 cash, and F.J. Stanesbeck layed, as had it been up, Cool- fire, which started in the south side of Odell, Neb., $320 cash, two baugh’s corner and the Red Livery of the two-story frame building, gold watches and a revolver. An could not have been saved. Imme- and wild stampede for the outside Emporia man lost $50 in cash. diately after the fire a subscription was the result as soon as the in- Miss Emma Kraut was seriously paper for the immediate relief of mates realized the state of affairs. burned about the head, face and Mr. Binns and family (who are Three guests who slept in one hands and fainted away in a hall- highly esteemed) was largely room threw their trunks out of a way with fire falling upon her. John signed. Not over $10 worth of window and among them lost only West, of Minneapolis, rescued her property was saved of the house- a watch. Four men who slept di- and was painfully burned while hold effects. rectly over the kitchen stove left doing so. T.S. Kerns, a printer in their room as the floor and beds our employ, was burned about his

A Tragic Event Kirk Rawnsley Binns

Kirk Rawnsley Binns was the son pieces aboard the H.M.S. Princess The few bodies that were found of Frankland Kirk Binns and his Irene on 27th May 1915. The Prin- were buried in Woodlands Ceme- wife Margaret. In the census of cess Irene was launched on 20th tery, Gillingham, and the rest are 1881, seventeen-year-old Frank- October, 1914. She had been built commemorated on a memorial land Kirk Binns is recorded as liv- as a liner for the Canadian Pacific that stands opposite Sheerness ing in Lower Town St., Bramley, Railway, but was requisitioned by Railway station. with his parents John and Sarah the Royal Navy for mine laying It seems that inadequately trained Binns, and was working as a rail- duties and was based at Sheer- personnel had been hurriedly way booking clerk. John, the head ness in Kent. Aboard the ship, sta- priming the 500 mines on board of the household, was a shoe- tioned in the River Medway on the and although there were rumours maker, born in about 1825 in fateful day, were the crew of 222 circulating of sabotage by German Thorpe Arch. officers and men as well as 80 spies the inquiry concluded that a When Kirk was old enough, he petty officers from Chatham and faulty priming pistol had been the married Eleanor and the couple 76 dockyard workers. They were cause. A commemorative plaque set up home at Middleholme, preparing mines to be laid two and medals presented to Able Jackson’s Court, Pontefract until, days later when, at 11.15 a.m; she Seaman Binns’s family have re- upon the outbreak of war, he blew up in a massive explosion. Of cently been offered for sale on the joined the Royal Navy. His time as those on board there was only one internet auction house ebay. an Able Seaman was tragically survivor, sadly not Able Seaman ended when he was blown to Binns.

Page 9 BINNS CONNECTIONS Poor Maud‘s Father

The Binns Family News Letter No. grave D 250 in Haworth church- Ilkley. Christiana was about three 2 published in October 1997 con- yard. The loss of a brother and years younger than John William tained an interesting account of sister, both under six years old, and although she was born in “Post Mortem Photography” in must have been an unpleasant Keighley, she was living with her which some of the details of poor experience for the fourteen-year- father, Ridsdale Park, who in the Maud’s short life are recounted. old John William. 1881 census was recorded as a Tragedy however was no stranger That the death of his little sister farmer in Ilkley. On August 1st., to Maud’s father John William affected John William is suggested 1886, at 15 Haworth Road, Lees, Binns who was a son of Sutcliffe by the fact that his first child, born the first child of John William and Binns and according to the 1881 to him and his wife Mary Ann, in Christiana was born. She was census was born in Haworth in about July 1880, was named Sa- called Maud Mary Binns and her about 1857. Also, in 1881, at bina. However it was not to be death on 21 September 1888 lead home with Sutcliffe and his wife long before events took another to the decision to have the photo- Martha at Clarendon Road, Ha- tragic turn. Mary Ann, his wife of graph taken that was the subject worth were his unmarried brothers very few years, died on 28th March of the article referred to above. Sedgwick and Walter. John Wil- 1882. She was buried in the From the inscription on the reverse liam had already left home and churchyard at Haworth in grave D of the photograph it seems that married Mary Ann Heaton from 547, to be followed in due course John William Binns had a son nearby Keighley and was living at by her father, the coachman Vernon, but what became of him, Cross Roads, about halfway be- Robert Heaton in 1889 and her Sabina, and their parents is not yet tween Keighley and Haworth, mother Elizabeth in 1908. known. Hopefully they all lived where he was occupied as a gro- Happily and presumably out of the happily ever after but as the above cer. Two younger siblings of John necessity of having a carer for his story demonstrates life was very William, sister Sabina and brother th four year old daughter Sabina, precarious in the late 19 century. Benson, had respectively died in John William married Christiana March and April 1871 at his par- Park of Ilkley, on the 9th January ents former home in Albion Place, 1884, at the Wesleyan Chapel, Haworth. They were buried in

Snippets

1) 1866 Shields Daily News April 6; at United Prebyterian Church, Hexham on 5th Alfred Hume, son of the late James Hume of Newcastle, to Cornelia Spencer, daughter of James Spencer of Hexham. Ceremony conducted by Rev. Joseph Binns, Ashton under Lyne, uncle of the bridegroom 2) Thomas Binns birth found in Army Returns 1796-1880. Born Gibraltar 1836-7, p. 179. is at 1 Larchfield Road, Hunslet in 1881 with his wife Matilda born in Leeds. He is a labourer in iron works. 3) Illustrations on the covers of The Dalesman in 1948 were by Dan Binns. It is reported on the Binns List that Dan was the father of David Binns, the well-known wildlife artist 5) The History of Huddersfield Town Football Club was written in 1984 by George S. Binns. 6 ) Percy N. Binns was a solicitor in Howden, East Yorks. 1868-1897. In the 1881 Census he was a 14 year-old pupil at a boys Boading School at 28 Fairfield Sq., Droylsden, Lancashire. The head of the household, was a Mr. Rea, who was a Moravian Minister. 7) The Western Flying Post and Sherborne and Yeovil Mercury for 19 Jan 1778 carried an advertisement for Jonas Binns’s boarding school at Looe, Cornwall.

Page 10 BINNS CONNECTIONS Snippets cont…….. Before WW1 E. Dennison Binns of 44 Mersea Road, Colchester, was publishing photographic postcards of local interest.

Spare Certificates

Donated by Maggie Hartley

Death 16th July 1872 registered in Horton, Bradford, Yorks. At Denhome, Thornton, Rebecca Binns, age 50 years, wife of William Binns, a powerloom weaver, of phthisis.

Marriage 6th February 1842 registered at Calverley in the Parish of Calverley, Yorks., Joseph Asquith, age 22, bachelor, stone mason of Pudsey son of John Asquith, clothier, to Esther Binns, 21, spinster of Pudsey, daughter of William Binns, cordwainer, at the Parish Church by banns. Both bride and groom marked. Witness Richard Pearson signed, witness John Binns marked.

Who was who ?

1) Who is the Charles Binns who co-authored with R. E. Marsden “Principles of Educational Woodwork” Pub- lished 1904? 2) Who were the Binns whose catalogue for “Boilers and Accessories for Central Heating” was published in 1931. The Company was called Binns and Speight Ltd. 3) Who were Joseph Moore Binns and his wife Flo Ann Noble Binns. Flo Ann is buried in cemetery in Carndongh, in the far North of Ireland. She was born 1822,died 1894

Sale

Advert in Sunderland Echo 21 Jan 1848 Selling off at reduced prices (owing to the advanced state of the season) H. Binns. Remaining stock of furs etc. To purchasers of sables the present offers a favourite opportunity, as some fine specimens still remain unsold, which will be offered at extremely low prices. H. B. has recently purchased a lot of Union Damasks, which he is able to offer from 7d. per yard, also a decided lot of All Worsted at 13d. – a great bargain. High Street, Sunderland.

Page 11 BINNS CONNECTIONS I recently had the good fortune to be able to visit the British Li- brary Newspaper Collection at Colindale London and among Sir Henry Binns KCMG other things I was able to find information about Henry Binns (1837-1899) that was new to me.

The Natal Mercury, 7 June 1899 never was so widely known as her pointed out that Sir Henry Binns husband afterwards became in pub- had been born only seven days The Natal Mercury, 9 June 1899 lic life.” The paper went on to de- after the accession of Queen Victo- records that the Natal Indian scribe how he made a success of ria and that had he lived three Congress placed “on record its sugar farming and was able to amal- weeks longer he would have cele- sense of deep sorrow for the loss gamate his business with that of Mr. brated the 62nd year of his age. He of Sir Henry Binns, Prime Minis- Robert Acutt and Mr. Scotch Wilson. had left England in June 1858 ter and tenders its humble sym- In about 1868 he returned briefly to shortly before his 22nd birthday with pathy to Lady Binns in her sad England to float the combined enter- his relations, the late Mr. John bereavement”. A reply was for- prise as the Umhlanga Valley Com- Acutt and his four daughters. They warded to Mr. Abdul Kadir. pany. left London bound for Natal on the The newspaper reports of the The Times of Natal, Weekly Edition, 1st June, aboard the ‘Early Morn’, a funeral at Fort Napier Military for 10 June 1899 mentions that he ship of only 226 tons, under the Cemetery mention the following was nominated to the legislative care of Captain Lowry. After a voy- as the chief mourners; Mr. Percy council in 1879 and was elected age of 105 days they reached Port Binns, Mr. Leonard Acutt, Mr. E. representative for Victoria County in Natal on the 14th September. l. Acutt, and Mr. G. W. Swales, 1883. In December 1893 he had Three years later he married his and Mr. And Mrs. William Acutt travelled to India to try and secure eldest cousin, Miss Clara Acutt, sent a wreath. Unfortunately, an agreement for the compulsory sister of Mr. Noble Acutt. Their son with the exception of Percy, no repatriation of Indians whose inden- Mr. Percy Binns (who also married relationship with the deceased is tures had expired. He was reported a cousin, Miss Ethel Laura Acutt) is given. to have been a keen observer and now a member of the firm of Shep- admirer of the activities of the Soci- stone, Wylie, and Binns, solicitors ety of Friends. The paper also of Durban. “Mrs. Binns from the states that Percy Binns was his only birth of her child, however, has son, another son having died in in- been an invalid, and therefore fancy. In all the accounts I read there was not one mention of a daughters. David Binns

And Finally…….

I would like to thank all those who My thanks also to my wife Elaine Thank you too to Alan P. Binns for have made significant contributions for her enthusiasm and energy in continuing to perform the task of to the content of this News Letter, laying out the copy and to my sis- distributing hard copies. especially Arthur Evans and Bill Mir- ter Marion for volunteering to proof field. read. Of course I take full responsibility for all errors and omissions

the w eb at:-

www.thebinnsfamily.org.uk

We are grateful to Ian A. Binns and Peach Digital Ltd . for their continuing support