1765 Baptism of Thomas Attwood on 5th December 1765 at St Martin-In-The-Fields, son of Thomas and Ann and he was born on 23rd November 1765.
In 1803, in the London City Directory, there are two entries for Thomas Attwood. One is Thomas Attwood, sen. coal merchant, living at 5 Lower Eaton St and the other is Thomas Attwood jun. organist to St Paul’s Cathedral, living at 11 Lower Eaton St, Pimlico.
1793 Thomas Attwood, bachelor and Mary Denton, spinster, both of the same Parish are married by banns on the 9th July 1793 at Wapping, Tower Hamlets, London.
According to Wikipedia, Thomas Attwood died on the 24th March 1838, at his house 17 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea.
Thomas Attwood. By Unknown author - http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/images/paintings/rcmu/large/wmrii_rcmu_pphc000002_large.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=42199433
1838 Thomas Attwood, late of Chelsea is buried at St Paul’s Cathedral on the 31st March 1838. He is aged 72 years old. He died on the 24th March 1838, at his house 17 Cheyne Walk, Chelsea. He is buried in the crypt, under the organ. Two of his sons were present at his funeral. One source states that at the time his death he left a widow, two sons and a daughter. It tells of his eldest son being assassinated in Seville, his second and fifth sons are rectors, his third son a solicitor died from a fall from his horse and his fourth son is the manager of a great estate in Jamaica. His daughter is unmarried. This doesn’t quite add up.
17 Cheyne Walk is a three-storey Grade II listed Georgian terraced house in Chelsea. It was extensively altered in 1867. The blue plaque on the front elevation reads: Thomas Attwood 1765 – 1838, composer and organist at St Paul’s Cathedral and the Chapel Royal lived and died here. Cheyne Walk is a historic road in Chelsea, London. It runs parallel with the River Thames. Before the construction of the Chelsea Embankment reduced the width of the river, it fronted the river along its whole length.
According to Wikipedia, at the age of nine, Thomas Attwood became a chorister in the Chapel Royal. In 1783 he was sent to study abroad and this was paid by the then Prince of Wales who later became King George IV. He had been impressed by Thomas Attwood’s skill at playing the pianoforte. After two years in Naples, he went on to study with Mozart before returning to London in 1787.
Personal photo
These photos are from personal ephemera collection.
In 1797 he was chosen as the organist of St Paul’s Cathedral and in the same year he was appointed as composer of the Chapel Royal. He became musical instructor to the Duchess of York and later on to the Princess of Wales. He composed a special piece for the organ, which he played, for the funeral of Lord Nelson. He composed a setting of the traditional anthem, I Was Glad, for the coronation of Geroge IV. In 1821 Attwood was appointed as organist to King George’s private chapel in Brighton.
He became one of the professors at the new Royal Academy of Music in 1823 and he was one of the original members of the Royal Philharmonic Society which was founded in 1813. He wrote an anthem for the coronation of William IV and was composing a similar piece for the coronation of Queen Victoria.
Thomas Attwood was a friend of Mendelssohn’s. Attwood invited Mendelssohn to stay at his home and Mendelssohn dedicated a few of his compositions to Attwood. The US Library of Congress hold a letter written by Thomas Attwood to a lady in the States. He asks for forgiveness as he had forgotten to send some music to her. He writes about his friend Mendelssohn who is recovering from ‘having been upset in a chaise by unskilled driver. Attwood goes on to write that Mendelssohn is recovering very well and on the day he is writing, Mendelssohn will be able to get to his drawing room and be able to play his piano. Attwood states that Mendelssohn has not broken any bones but one of his legs is lacerated from the chaise falling on it. Attwood is hoping that Mendelssohn will be able to spend some days at his home in Norwood. Mendelssohn apparently speaks of the time he spent with this lady’s family and also of the composition he wrote whilst with her family.
Attwood became ill soon after Christmas 1837, and according to one entry on the internet, he neglected the proper remedies and died at his home.
Thomas Attwood Will
I, Thomas Attwood of Eaton St, Plimlico, London, do declare this to be my last will and Testament I give and bequeath to my wife Mary Attwood all my Personal Estate, moneys and effects that I may be possessed of for the term of her natural life and I appoint my wife as my sole Executrix here witness my hand and seal of 12th August 1807. Proved at London 12th April 1838.
Wife Mary
1841 Census George Attwood, aged 40, his mother Mary, aged 60, his sister Caroline 35 and brother Albert Charles aged 35 are living in Framlingham. None of them were born in the county and he is the Incumbent at the Rectory.
1851 Census George Attwood, aged 55 is the Rector of Framlingham and Saxted, and he is living with his mother aged 75 who is a gentlewoman with house and funds property, his sister Caroline who is 53 as well as three servants.
1859 Will of Mary Attwood late of Framlingham in the County of Suffolk Widow deceased who died 14 June 1859 Framlingham aforesaid proved at the Principal Registry by the oath of Caroline Eliza Attwood of Framlingham aforesaid Spinster the daughter and the sole Executrix. Effects under £1000.
Frederick Thomas
1794 Frederick Thomas Attwood, son of Thomas and Mary Attwood is baptised at St George, Hanover Square on the 19th June 1794 and he was born on the 21st May 1794. Could have possibly died young.
George
1795 Baptism of George Attwood, son of Thomas and Mary on the 30th July at St George, Hanover Square.
1814 Adm. Sizar (undergraduate who receives some form of assistance such as meals, lower fees or lodging during his or her period of study, in some cases in return for doing a defined job) at ST JOHN'S, May 6, 1814. 2nd son of Thomas, musician, of London Matric. Michs. 1814. Migrated to Pembroke, Feb. 26, 1816; B.A. (7th Wrangler – a wrangler is a student who gains first-class honours in the final year of the university’s degree in mathematics. The Senior Wrangler is the student who comes first, the Second Wrangler is the student who comes second and so on) 1818; M.A. 1821; Tyrwhitt Scholar, 1820. Fellow of Pembroke, 1821. Ord. deacon, 1823; priest, 1829. V. of Saxthorpe, Norfolk, 1834-7. R. of Framlingham with Saxted, Suffolk, 1837-84. Rural Dean. J.P. Died July 22, 1884, aged 89. Brother of William H. (1825) and probably father of William D. (1856). (This is not correct, William D (Denton) is William Hamilton’s son).
1841 Census George Attwood, aged 40, his mother Mary, aged 60, his sister Caroline 35 and brother Albert Charles aged 35 are living in Framlingham. None of them were born in the county and he is the Incumbent at the Rectory.
1851 Census George Attwood, aged 55 is the Rector of Framlingham and Saxted, and he is living with his mother aged 75 who is a gentlewoman with house and funds property, his sister Caroline who is 53 as well as three servants.
1851 Marriage to Sophia Place, third quarter.
1861 Census George Attwood aged 65, his wife Sophia aged 45, his son aged 7, his sister aged 54 and four servants are living in Framlingham. He is the Rector of Framlingham and Saxted.
1871 Census George Attwood aged 75 years, his wife aged 57 years, his son aged 16, his sister Caroline aged 73, two servants and the Bishop of Norwich who is visiting, are living at the Rectory in Framlingham.
1881 Census George Attwood aged 85, his wife aged 65, their son, his sister Caroline aged 82 and four servants are living at Framlingham. He is the Rector of Framlingham.
1884 Probate for The Reverend George Attwood, The Will with a codicil of the Reverend George Attwood late of Framlingham in the County of Suffolk Clerk died 22nd July 1884 at Framlingham was proved at the Principal Registry by Sophia Attwood of 7 Stanley-villas Barnes in the County of Surrey Widow the relict the sole Executrix. Personal estate under £6054 0s 1d.
Caroline Eliza
1797 Baptism of Caroline Eliza Attwood, daughter of Thomas and Mary Ann on the 18th March 1797, born on the 20th February 1797 at St George, Hanover Square.
Did not marry.
1841 Census George Attwood, aged 40, his mother Mary, aged 60, his sister Caroline 35 and brother Albert Charles aged 35 are living in Framlingham. None of them were born in the county and he is the Incumbent at the Rectory.
1851 Census George Attwood, aged 55 is the Rector of Framlingham and Saxted, and he is living with his mother aged 75 who is a gentlewoman with house and funds property, his sister Caroline who is 53 as well as three servants.
1861 Census George Attwood aged 65, his wife Sophia aged 45, his son aged 7, his sister aged 54 and four servants are living in Framlingham. He is the Rector of Framlingham and Saxted.
1871 Census George Attwood aged 75 years, his wife aged 57 years, his son aged 16, his sister Caroline aged 73, two servants and the Bishop of Norwich who is visiting, are living at the Rectory in Framlingham.
1881 Census George Attwood aged 85, his wife aged 65, their son, his sister Caroline aged 82 and four servants are living at Framlingham. He is the Rector of Framlingham.
1859 Will of Mary Attwood late of Framlingham in the County of Suffolk Widow deceased who died 14 June 1859 Framlingham aforesaid proved at the Principal Registry by the oath of Caroline Eliza Attwood of Framlingham aforesaid Spinster the daughter and the sole Executrix. Effects under £1000.
Died 1889, aged 92.
Albert Charles 1802
1802 Born 28th June 1802, baptized 24th July 1802 at St George, Hanover Square, London, father Thomas and mother Mary.1841 Census George Attwood, aged 40, his mother Mary, aged 60, his sister Caroline 35 and brother Albert Charles aged 35 are living in Framlingham. None of them were born in the county and he is the Incumbent at the Rectory.
1847 Marriage of Albert Charles Attwood, bachelor, gentleman, son of Thomas Attwood, bachelor and Martha Amelia Mason, spinster, daughter of Edward Mason, a Master Mariner at Rotherhithe Church.
1851 Census Albert Charles Attwood, aged 49 years old and his 8-year-old son of the same name are living in Grove Cottage, Gosbeck. He is an annuitant and his son is a scholar.
1856. Married Emma Colby, Whitechapel London. Married on January 9th, he is a widower, a gentleman, living in Commercial St and his father Thomas Attwood is also a gentleman. Her father is a farmer and the witnesses belong to her family.
1861 Census Albert Attwood, aged 58 years old, his wife Emma aged 33 years old and their three children are living at Grove Cottage, Gosbeck. They also have a house servant. His occupation is listed as ‘Formerly Honourable E E India Service’. Not sure if this is exactly correct.
1865 Albert Charles Attwood is imprisoned for 12 calendar months without hard labour for a misdemeanor under the Savings Bank Act.
1866 London Gazette August 24th 1866.
Albert Charles Attwood, of No. 2, Turner’s Buildings, St Helen’s-street, Ipswich in the county of Suffolk, out of business, then formerly a Prisoner in the County Gaol of Suffolk, at Ipswich aforesaid and previously of Gosbeck, in the same county, Actuary to the Boomere and Claydon Savings’ Bank with Stowmarket Branch held at Coddenham in the same county of Suffolk, having been adjudge bankrupt under the Petition for adjudication of Bankruptcy, filed in the County Court of Suffolk, holder at Ipswich, on the 18th day of August 1866, is hereby required to surrender himself to Mr Charles Pretyman, Registrar of the said Court, at the first meeting of creditors to be held before the said Register on the 1st day of September next, at eleven o’clock in the forenoon precisely, at the County Court Office, Silent-street, Ipswich.
1866 Albert Charles Attwood is declared bankrupt on 1st September 1866. He is living in Ipswich.
1866 17th November – Alleged Guarantee for a Debt. George Willis v The Rev. George Attwood – this was an action brought to recover the sum of £25 3s 4d, the balance of a sum of money and interest which the defendant had promised and guaranteed to pay the plaintiff for and on account of Albert Charles Attwood, and then due from Albert C Attwood to the plaintiff. Tried before a jury.
In the year 1859 Albert Charles Attwood got into Mr Willis’s debt to the amount of £79 17s 2d and he pressed Albert Charles Attwood for payment. The latter begged Mr Willis to not sue him, and referred him to his brother the defendant and also to the Rev William Attwood of Gosbeck. The latter gave Willis a promissary note for £40 for a portion of the debt. Mr William Attwood wanted to wriggle out of the debt but he had been sued and had paid it. This left a balance to Willis which it was agreed should bear interest and accordingly, interest was charge from year to year till 1863. Albert Charles Attwood asked Willis to not sue him on the ground that he had some property coming to him form his mother’s estate with which the present defendant had something to do, either as executor or in some other way.
George Attwood paid £10 in 1863, another £10 in 1864, another £5 in 1865 and £10 in 1866. There seems to be a little confusion about the acknowledgment of some of the money.
George Willis is a grocer and draper in Coddenham and it is goods that he supplied to Albert Charles Attwood, which incurred this debt.
At an interview between George Attwood and George Willis, George Attwood stated that his brother was not entitled to anything from his mother’s estate but he (George Attwood) gave Albert Attwood £40 a year. George Attwood was going to deduct from the amount he gave his brother each year the payment for this debt to Willis.
Willis maintained that George Attwood gave him a guarantee that he would repay all of the money. After Albert Charles Attwood came out of gaol, George Attwood didn’t want to have anything to do with his brother. The case was dismissed.
1867 Death of Albert Charles Attwood, Esq, son of the late Thomas Attwood, died on the 2nd April in the 65th year of his age. This death notice is in the Newcastle Daily Journal dated 10th April 1867.
William Hamilton
1804 William Hamilton Attwood, son of Thomas and Mary Ann is baptized on the 31st May 1804 at St George, Hanover Square.
1825 Pens. at PEMBROKE, Feb. 18, 1825. 5th s. of Thomas, musician, of Norwood, Surrey. B. in London. Matric. Michs. 1825, as William; Scholar; B.A. 1829. Ord. deacon (Rochester) 1830; priest (Chichester) 1831. C. of Bedingfield with Debenham, Suffolk, in 1846. R. of Gosbeck, 1847-79. Died 1879. Brother of George (1814)
1836 Rev William Hamilton Attwood, bachelor of Saxthorpe Norfolk and Elizabeth Hodgkinson, a minor are married by licence by her guardian Robert Child St Pancras Church.
1841 Census William Attwood, aged 35, his wife Elizabeth aged 25, their two children and a servant are living at Bedingfield.
1845 Notice of marriage of Rev William Hamilton Attwood of Bedingfield Suffolk to Justina, eldest daughter of the Rev Edward Barlee, Rector of Worlingworth at Worlingworth Suffolk on the 9th September 1845.
1847 Rev William Hamilton Attwood. A. B. was instituted to the Rectory of Gosbeck Saint Mary, in the county of Suffolk, on the presentation of Mary Attwood of Framlingham, widow.
1851 Census William Attwood and his wife Justina are living in Gosbeck at the Rectory along with his two children from his first marriage and two children from his second marriage.
1861 William Attwood aged 56 the Rector of Gosbeck, his wife Justina aged 42, two of their children and two servants are living in Gosbeck.
1871 William Attwood aged 66, Rector of Gosbeck, his wife aged 52, his two children and two servants are living at Gosbeck.
1879 Will with a codicil of the Reverend William Hamilton Attwood formerly of Bedingfield but late of Rectory Gosbeck near Needham Market both in the County of Suffolk Clerk who died 17 February at the Rectory was proved at the Principal Registry by Justina Attwood of Framlingham in the said County widow the relict the sole Executrix. Personal estate under £450.
References
Ancestry.com
www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Attwood_(composer)