Isaac Binns
Died August 6th, 1884.
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| From http://www.vivientomlinson.com/batley/p16.htm |
And all who knew thee well, doth sorrow bring
But we in memory will closely cling
To thy bright wit and sound philosophy.
Where shall we another Yorick find? 5
“Flashes of merriment” and humorous lore,
“Were wont to set the table on a roar”
Yet all were innocent, and wise, and kind.
Thou went to learn of Nature, and well knew
She is the best of teachers; tree and flower, 10
Bird, insect, quadruped, each had the power
To interest and please thee; and the True
To winnow from the False was joy to thee,
Who loved all wisdom and true liberty.
George Markham Tweedale [sic] George Markham Tweddell
Rose Cottage, Stokesley.
Notes supplied by Paul Markham Tweddell from GMT
Last week it was our painful duty to record the death of this
gentleman, which took place on Wednesday the 6th August at his
residence in Purlwell Lane, and his mortal remains were consigned to
their last resting place in the Batley Cemetery on Saturday afternoon.
The funeral was attended by a large number of friends of the
deceased, of whom he had very many, from near and afar, also by the
Mayor and Corporation of the borough, the borough officials, the
members of the Britannia Mill Company, and many others, by whom
Mr. Binns was held in high esteem. Before proceeding to the cemetery
the corpse was taken into the new Purlwell Wesleyan Chapel, where a
very impressive funeral service was held, the sacred edifice being
crowded with spectators. The Rev. W. H. W. Evans (Wesleyan) and
the Rev. James Rae (Independent) performed the funeral obsequies.
On the route to the Cemetery and at that place, large numbers of
persons were assembled to witness the mournful procession.
On this occasion it will not be considered out of place if we append a
few particulars respecting our departed townsman and friend Mr.
Binns. He was the son of Abraham and Sarah Binns, who resided at
the bottom of Soothill Lane, where they kept a small grocer’s shop,
the business being still carried on by Mrs. Binns. He was born on the
October 20th, 1844. The father, who was for many years employed as
a woolsorter by Mr. Abraham Brooke, died at the same age as his son
Isaac, and left the same number of children surviving, he being the
eldest and quite a boy at the time. He was educated at the Wesleyan
day school kept by Mr John Osborne, and afterwards remained as a
pupil teacher, under the instruction of the same master. Being
naturally quick and intelligent, he very readily learnt everything he
undertook, and succeeded in passing his examinations particularly
early. But the scholastic profession does not seem to have been
adapted to one of so lively a temperament, and at the expiration of his
time he relinquished that profession and took a responsible situation as
cashier at Messrs. Ward & Co’s., wholesale provision merchants,
Kirkgate, Leeds. Whilst here he married Sarah, eldest daughter of Mr.
John Robinson, of Batley. He then removed to Birstall, where for a
period of about eight years he was the valued manager at the Britannia
Mill. Whilst he was the servant of this company he applied for and
obtained the situation of Borough Accountant for Batley, which office
was rendered vacant by the death of Mr Robert Shackleton. This was
on October 15th 1874, since which time he has fulfilled the arduous
duties with great credit to himself and satisfaction to his employers.
In fact, as a financier, there were few in England that excelled, if
equalled Mr. Binns, and by his death the corporation has lost a most
valuable servant, whose place it will be difficult to fill. By
whomsoever employed, the deceased at all times performed his duties
in such an efficient and exacting manner as to win for him their
admiration, approval, and respect; and he was also highly respected by
everyone with whom he came in contact. In everything to which he
gave his mind he was first and foremost, and amongst other things in
which he took an initiatory part were the formation of Heckmondwike
and the Batley Naturalist Societies, which pursuits were particularly
congenial to him, and as a naturalist he was widely known. As an
antiquarian he was also well known, but next to being a smart
arithmetician, Mr. Binns shone most brilliantly as a literary man.
Whilst a youth, on the formation of the Batley Rifle Corps, he joined
as a volunteer, and the experience he gained as such had doubtless
some influence in bringing forth one of his first literary productions,
“Tom Wallop”, a very comic and racy brochure, which is vividly
remembered even yet. This was followed by “T’Bag o’ Shoddy” and
“T’Coddy Miln” Almanacs and other similar productions, all written
in gushing Yorkshire dialect, and full of wit and humour. He also
edited “Country Words,” “T’Barnsla Foaks” and “Tommy Toddles”
Almanacs, and wrote “Outlines and Notes,” “On the Line,” “The
Argonaut,” “At their Last Victory,” “Fanny the Orphan” “After
Fifteen Years” and other serial stories, which were brimful of original
ideas, and exceedingly racy. But amongst his best efforts as a literary
man is to be named one of his last productions, “From Village to
Town”, which appeared in our columns some time ago, and has since
been published in book form at 1s.6d.
In addition to the foregoing and other works Mr. Binns compiled and
published other tables on the repayment by sinking fund of loans to
corporations.
We must also state that he was a Fellow of the Royal Historical
Society, English Dialect, Folklore and Yorkshire Archaeological and
Topographical and other societies, and in connection with these the
name of Isaac Binns was known beyond even the limits of the county.
It will also be remembered that a short time ago the subject of these
remarks applied for the borough treasurership of the city of Worcester,
and was one of the selected applicants, though he lost the appointment
by one vote.
On Good Friday, as stated by us last week, the deceased was taken ill
with quinsy, followed by rheumatic fever, from which, however, he
sufficiently recovered to attend to his duties, but only for a week,
when he had a relapse and succumbed, as already stated, at the early
age of 39 years. He leaves a widow and five children, in addition to a
large circle of friends and acquaintances to whom he had become
deeply attached by his warm heart and genial disposition.
We may add in conclusion that at Thursday’s meeting of the Batley
Town Council a high tribute was paid by Alderman Fox and the
Mayor to the respect in which the deceased was held, and to the
abilities which he ever displayed.
.....................................
You can read more of Isaac Binn's biography on Vivian Tomlinson's site if you scroll down to the entry on him on this site here http://www.vivientomlinson.com/batley/p16.htm
Vivian Thomlinson writes "
"Isaac Binns must have had a wide circle of friends and correspondents, and among these was George Markham Tweddell , the Cleveland author, whose wife Elizabeth also wrote dialect works under her maiden name of Elizabeth Cole. George and Elizabeth were also strong supporters of a movement to improve conditions among the poor by giving them wider educational opportunities. This they put into practice by moving to Bury, where George became Head of a new Industrial School, and Elizabeth its Matron. On the closure of the school they returned to Cleveland, but with a growing family the 1870s saw a period of financial hardship and Isaac was one of the contributors to a "Purse of Gold" raised by George's friends to assist him.11In November 1881 Isaac Binns received a letter from George with a biography of his wife, Elizabeth, whose work Isaac must have been interested in publishing" View the envelope from Tweddell to Isaac Bins here http://www.vivientomlinson.com/batley/e108.htm
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