November 1870 – The Pinsent Family

Western Times: Tuesday 8th November 1870

The Recent Mortgage on the Northam Rates: — Mr. Thomas Pynsent, of Lakenham House, Westward Ho! one of the largest shareholders and landowners connected with Westward Ho and Villas Company, and a member of the Local Board, has just issued an address to the ratepayers with reference to the large sums borrowed during the last six-months on mortgage of the parish-rates. Of these sums he reminds them that £1,200 is expended in the drainage of Westward Ho! and £2,000 in the improvement of certain accommodation roads; and after pointing out the unfair manner in which this debt of a half year will have to be met – the occupiers of houses having: to contribute in a fourfold degree in excess of the landowners for improvements; in which they are no way interested — he says that as things am now stand tending, feels; much regret that Northam parish ever adopted the Local Government Act. Had the Board been content to confine its action, to sanitary matters, the Local Board, might well have been regarded as a blessing to the parish but if the rates are to be mortgaged, and these rapidly increasing incumbrances, incurred in addition to ordinary expenditure, according to the precedent set in the present year, for the promotion the interests of individuals who may have embarked in commercial speculations, then he regards it that few will be thankful for its establishment. He also, advises them to select at the next election men who will work and act with economy, and-who can afford to be independent – men of independent speech and independent action.

Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.

Referenced

GRO0835 Hennock: Thomas Pynsent: 1808 – 1887

Exeter and Plymouth Gazette: Friday 25th November 1870

Education Meeting: A meeting was held in the Assembly Rooms on Tuesday, to consider the new Education Act. E. Gulson, Esq., who presided, pointed out that the two parishes of East and West Teignmouth pointed out they only had one school, and whether one school would be sufficient for the two parishes for the future, it would not be for them to decide. He certainly considered additional accommodation necessary. The Rev. A. Lawson stated that the school accommodation in East and West Teignmouth would provide for 390 children. The Athenaeum School, which was termed a private adventure, was sufficient for 147 children, the Roman Catholic School 80, Mr. Pinsent’s school 56, and the school under the patron’ of Mrs. Wrey 30, making in all 703; but to provide for one-sixth of the population there would be a deficiency school accommodation for 300 children. From Mr. Howard who inspected their schools last week, he might be right or wrong, he learned that the school accommodation at the Athenaeum and Mr. Pinsent’s would never pass the requirements of the Education Department. Taking into consideration the number of poor in West Teignmouth, he thought accommodation would be required for one-fifth rather than one-sixth, and if that were so they would have to provide for 500 instead of 300. Some discussion arose as to the working of the Act, some gentlemen being in favour of the voluntary system, and others of a rate. The Rev. A. Lawson then moved, “That in the opinion of this meeting the present and prospective educational wants as regards elementary education in East and West Teignmouth, be continued under the voluntary system.” This was seconded by Mr. Jordan who showed that if the voluntary system failed, they could come to a rate. He considered the voluntary system had very great advantages over the compulsory system. The Rev. J. Davis (Baptist) moved an amendment, that a committee be appointed to confer on the subject, and to report to the vestries of the parishes. The Rev. J. Bramley (Wesleyan) seconded this. Captain Marshall suggested the meeting should be adjourned for a week, in order that the population might thoroughly understand the subject. Eventually the Rev. A. Lawson withdrew his motion, that of the Rev. J. Davis being adopted, with the alteration that the committee shall report at an adjourned meeting to be held next Monday evening at 7.30, when the Rev. A. Lawson will again move his resolution. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the meeting.

Referenced

GRO0509 Teignmouth: John Pinsent: 1799 – 1878

Hampshire Advertiser: Wednesday 9th November 1870

The Major and Mayoress’s Fancy Dress Ball at Southampton: (Alderman F. and Mrs. Perkins) gave a grand fancy dress ball at the Hartley Institution on a very extensive scale in honour of the approaching marriage between her Royal Highness the Princess Louise and the Marquis of Lorne, and it was also a very gratifying wind up to his worship’s term of office as the chief magistrate of the town, which he has held for the fifth time … Among those who attended in costume or evening dress were Lieutenant Spottiswood, full dress uniform of a subaltern of the 107^th Regiment … Etc … (includes – from a very long list) … (Miss) Pinsent, Titania, the Fairy Queen … (also) … Pinsent, evening dress … and (uniform) … Pinsent, jun. Bombardier, 1st Hants. V.A. …

Referenced

GRO0420 India: Henry John Pinsent: 1812 – 1894
GRO0899 India: William Henry Pinsent: 1845 – 1895

Bideford Weekly Gazette and Devon and Cornwall Advertiser: Tuesday 8th November 1870

Northam Local Board: At a meeting held on Saturday, the Rev. E. Reynolds in the chair and Messrs. Yeo, Pynsent, Rodd, Burnicle, Cook, William, Pickard, Hour. Swindale, Mill, and Bear, a new rate of 1s. in the pound was ordered to be struck. Mr. Rodd made the usual declaration on taking his seat as a member. A memorial was presented from the owners and occupiers, of houses in Appledore, against the recommendations of the Surveyor with regard to certain improvements in that locality and a committee was appointed to report upon the same, also upon the condition of Nineteen Steps, complained of Mr. Benson, and the state of the well at Orchard-hill. The mortgage upon which £700 is about to be borrowed of the West of England Insurance Company was signed and sealed.

Referenced

GRO0835 Hennock: Thomas Pynsent: 1808 – 1887

Bideford Weekly Gazette and Devon and Cornwall Advertiser: Tuesday 8th November 1870

The Mortgages on the Northam Parish Rates: To the Editor of the Bideford Gazette: Sir, – As one who regrets the establishment of the Northam Local Board, allow me, through the medium of your earliest to thank Mr. Pynsent for his very able and opportune letter on the mortgaging of the parish rates, Had the board, Mr. Pynsent says, confined its attention to sanitary matters, it might have been a blessing; but its tendency at present is certainly opposed to the interests of the ratepayers, inasmuch as instead of confining its attention to that for which it was it established it is positively borrowing and expending large sums of money for the improvement of speculations in which the ratepayers are not in the least interested, and from which they derive no benefit.

My object however, in writing is to point out an omission in Mr. Pynsent’s letter. Possibly he may have forgotten it. It is that at the first inquiry, when the Government Inspector was induced to advise the Secretary of State to sanction the borrowing of money for these Westward Ho! improvements, it was urged by several advocates that the rateable value of the district would in twelve months be double what it is now, although nearly two years have elapsed. The rateable value has not increased to that extent, nor has anything like the number of people been here that the Inspector was led to believe. It was evidently an exaggeration if not a trick, and it was singular that no reference was made to it in Mr. Pynsent’s capital letter, for which he deserves the thanks of every ratepayer in the parish. Yours very obediently: A Northamite: Northam Nov. 4^th: …

Referenced

GRO0835 Hennock: Thomas Pynsent: 1808 – 1887