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ARTHUR WILLIAM MONTAGU HUME (1853-
BARKING’S FORGOTTEN COMPOSER
John Blake
In the spring of this year, 2015, I received an email from Australia requesting information on Arthur Montagu Hume, one-
Michael Douglas HumeTurner, Arthur’s great grandson, living in Adelaide since leaving England for Australia in 1967 had been researching his family tree and requested help from the society in discovering more. Arthur’s common prayer book, now in Michael’s possession, has the following recorded on page 1: "First Sunday as organist (January 17th 1875) at St. Margaret’s, Barking."
Arthur was born in Boulogne, France in 1853, the son of the solicitor to the Consulate there. When his father died, the family returned to England.
He became a pupil of Arthur H. Brown, of Brentwood and was appointed organist at Shenfield Church when he was only ten years old! The Chelmsford Chronicle of 15th January 1864 gave this report of a concert at St. Helen’s Hall in Brentwood: "Mr. Arthur H. Brown, organist, of Brentwood, presided at the pianoforte, and played Mozart’s duet ‘Coalition’ with Master Arthur Hume, one of his pupils only ten years of age. The performance of this young musician quite astonished the audience, who applauded him very heartily. This youth has for more than a month played the harmonium in Shenfield Church, conducting the whole musical portion of divine service to the entire satisfaction of all the congregation, so much so that the new rector has appointed him to stay in that office".
Arthur William Montagu Hume 1853-
1874-
St. Margaret's Church Barking
Organ 2015
The Hume family lived at Church Road and consisted of Arthur and his wife Emily, their three children and Michael’s grandmother Rose. They later moved to 7, Cambridge Road (1911 census).Arthur died of cancer, aged 64, on 12th September 1917 and his funeral took place on 15th September at Rippleside. Emily died in 1933 aged 80 years.
Colin Green, one of our members and on the staff at Valence House located the family grave in Rippleside Cemetery – it contained Arthur’s mother, Arthur and Emily and their son Arthur junior (grave ref. R/S/D/46).
The original St. Margaret’s organ that Arthur played, which was in the west gallery in front of tower arch, was re-
Fred Brand in his book Barking in 1866 and all that records that he and Arthur were at the organ of the church one dark night when "came a faint rustling sound, which approached by coming slowly up the nave, increasing in intensity as it did so, until the choir step was reached, when all sound faded away." When they heard the sounds again, they both went to investigate and there was nothing to see. Neither doubted the cause of the noise – it was the church’s legendary ghost of The Lady in the silk dress.
During my research I was amazed to discover that Arthur’s son also called Arthur, an apprentice at Hewett’s yard, died in the 1899 Barking Boiler Explosion aged 16 years. The New Zealand Herald (25th February 1899) stated: "Arthur Hume was found in a serious condition on the floor of the fitters’ shop, and near the same spot a body perfectly nude, with both legs amputated below the knees was lying in a pool of blood".The Nottingham Evening Post of January 12th 1899 reported that: "the funeral was private, but the road was lined with large crowds".
The above images show a surviving boiler plate from the Barking boiler explosion of 1899. It was later stamped with the names of those sadly killed, including Arthur Hume junior. This aretfact is held by the Valence House Museum collection at Valence House, Dagenham. The image on the left is reproduced from Sue Curtis's Barking: A History (2006) page 82.
I received the following email from Michael Wand, son of Harold Wand, 5th President of the Society:
"It is possible that Harold’s nephew/my cousin Jack Berry was one of Arthur’s pupils when he was very young. Both he and his father George Berry played the organ at St. Margaret’s from time to time, Hume was a composer as well as organist ………When Hume died, George gathered up all the handwritten stuff from the St. Margaret’s organ shelves and took it home. Harold said George occasionally played some of it at St. Margaret’s. Alas when George died his widow, my aunt Cys, threw all Hume’s stuff away. When Harold found out he was mortified. He realised the loss".
Arthur is remembered by a simple plaque in St. Margaret’s – it reads:
To the Glory of God
And in memory of
Arthur William Montagu Hume
Who served God and This Church
As
Organist and Choirmaster for 43 years (1874-
Blessed are the pure in heart for they shall see God.
John Blake
July 2015
Many thanks to Teresa Trowers (Barking and Dagenham Local Studies Centre) for her help in locating some of the information and to Colin Green for supplying the photographs.
Examples of Arthur William Montagu Hume's Handwriting
TO † THE
GLORY OF GOD
-
ARTHUR WILLIAM MONTAGU HUME
Who served God and This Church
-
-
-
For they shall see God"
The photograph above, kindly suppiled by Michael Turner, shows Emily Hume (1853-
In Loving Memory
OF
ARTHUR LESLIE
BELOVED SON OF
ARTHUR WILLIAM AND EMILY HUME
WHO DIED JANUARY 6TH 1899
IN HIS 17TH YEAR
ALSO MARTHER CHANDLER HUME
WHO DIED APRIL 18TH 1898
AGED 80 YEARS
ALSO OF MY BELOVED HUSBAND THE ABOVE
ARTHUR WILLIAM HUME
WHO DIED SEPTEMBER 12TH 1917 AGED 64 YEARS
ALSO OF EMILY HUME
BELOVED WIFE OF THE ABOVE
WHO FELL ASLEEP FEBRUARY 7TH 1933
AGED 80 YEARS
"REUNITED"
Chronology of Arthur William Montagu Hume (1853- |
|
Date |
Event |
1793 |
Birth of A.W.M. Hume’s father Robert Montagu Hume |
1817 |
Marriage of A.W.M. Hume’s parents Robert Montagu Hume and Martha Chandler in Islington, Middlesex |
1853 9th March |
Birth of Arthur William Montagu Hume at Pretish, France |
1853 11th June |
Burial of A.W.M. Hume’s father Robert Montagu Hume in Boulogne aged 59, solicitor |
1853 30th October |
Baptism of A.W.M. Hume at Boulogne, France |
1853 |
Birth of Emily Smith at Elmdon, Essex daughter of Joseph Smith, carpenter, and Charlotte. Moved to West Ham by 1858. Emily married A.W.M. Hume in 1875 |
1861 |
A.W.M. Hume living in Crown House, Shenfield with his mother, a Professor of Music. He is an 8 year old scholar. |
1863 |
Pupil of Arthur H. Brown, of Brentwood and appointed organist at Shenfield Church |
1871 |
A.W.M. Hume living in Litchfield Villa, Church Ward, Plaistow, with his mother Martha. Occupation given as Professor of Music |
1871 |
Arthur William Hume living at 7 Selwyn Road, Plaistow according to Directory |
1875 January 17th |
A.W.M. Hume’s first Sunday as organist at St. Margaret’s, Barking |
1875 |
A.W.M. Hume married Emily Smith, West Ham |
1876 |
Birth of son William Hume (1st child) in Plaistow |
1878 January |
Birth of A.W.M. Hume’s daughter Beatrice Hume (2nd) in Barking |
1878 |
A.W. Hume listed at Wakering Road as organ and pianoforte teacher |
1880 January |
Birth of A.W.M. Hume’s daughter Rose Margaret Hume (3rd) in Barking |
1881 |
A.W.M. Hume living in Church Road, Barking, profession of Professor of Music with family and one domestic servant |
1882 |
A.W. Hume listed at Church Road, Barking as teacher of music |
1883 12th October |
A.W.M. Hume appointed conductor of the Aveley Choral Society |
1884 October |
Birth of A.W.M. Hume’s son Cecil Montagu Hume (4th) in Barking who died 1954 |
1886 |
A.W. Hume listed at 23 Church Street, Barking as teacher of music |
1888 |
Birth of A.W.M. Hume’s son Arthur Leslie Hume (5th ) who died 1899 |
1888 April |
Birth of A.W.M. Hume’s daughter Laura Emily Hume (6th ) who died 1939 |
1890 |
Arthur Hume listed as private resident at 7 Cambridge Road, Barking |
1891 |
A.W.M. Hume living in 7 Cambridge Road, Barking, profession of Professor of Music with family and 1 servant |
1895 |
A.W. Hume listed as organist of St. Margaret's church, Barking |
1898 18th April |
Martha Chandler Hume, Arthur’s mother, died aged 80. Buried Rippleside cemetery |
1899 |
Arthur Hume listed at 7 Cambridge Road as teacher of music |
1901 |
A.W.M. Hume living in 7 Cambridge Road, Barking, profession Professor of Music with family |
1902 |
Arthur Hume listed at 7 Cambridge Road as teacher of music |
1906- |
Arthur W. Hume listed at 7 Cambridge Road as organist of St. Margaret's Church |
1911 |
A.W.M. Hume living in Barking, profession Organist and Professor of Music with family and 1 servant with family and 1 visitor |
1917 12th September |
A.W.M. Hume of 7 Cambridge Road, Barking died |
1917 15th September |
A.W.M. Hume buried in Barking at Rippleside Cemetery |
1917 10th November |
Probate of A.W.M. Hume’s granted to widow Emily Hume, effects valued at £264.23p |
1933 7th February |
Emily Hume, A.W.M. Hume’s died. Address 17, Courtfield Gardens, West Ealing. Effects valued at £135.77p. Administration to Cecil Montagu Hume, accountant. |
1933 11th February |
Emily Hume buried Rippleside Cemetery R/S/D46 |
Printed Music by Arthur W. Hume in British Library Collection |
||
Date |
Title |
Notes |
1880 |
Gardenia waltz for the Pianoforte |
Published Barking. Folio |
1896 |
La Golondrina. Morceau espagnol pour Piano. |
Published London : Beal & Co. Folio |
1900 |
Marguerite. Valsette for the Pianoforte |
Published London, etc : A. Brooks. Folio |
1903 |
Marguerite. Valsette for the Pianoforte |
Published London : Leonard & Co. Folio |