A Working Catalogue

A Working Catalogue

of material relating to

Robert Tressell

and

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists

compiled by

Dave Harker

May 2014

Introduction

The Croker, Noonan and Zumbühl Families

Samuel and Jane Usher Croker

Mary Ann Noonan alias Croker,later Zumbühl

Mary Jane Noonan (daughter of Mary Ann Noonan), later Meiklejon

Documents

Photographs

Henry John Croker (son of Mary Ann Noonan)

Teresa Croker (daughter of Mary Ann Noonan)

Ellen Croker (daughter of Mary Ann Noonan), later Maguire

Adelaide Ann Croker(daughter of Mary Ann Noonan), later Rolleston

Documents

Photographs

Robert Croker (son of Mary Ann Noonan), alias Noonan, alias Tressell

Documents

Photographs

Correspondence sent

Associated documents

Associated photographs

William Croker (son of Mary Ann Noonan)

Kathleen Noonan (daughter of Robert and Elizabeth Noonan), later Meiklejon, alias Lynne

Documents

Photographs

Correspondence received

Associated documents

Joan Irene Meiklejonlater Johnson

Documents

Photographs

Correspondence received

Correspondence sent

Associated documents

Associated correspondence

Reginald William Johnson (husband of Joan Irene Meiklejon)

Documents

Photographs

Correspondence received

Correspondence sent

Associated correspondence

Robert Tressell

Biographies

Reviews

Associated documents

Associated correspondence

Associated photographs

St Andrew’s Church mural

Walton gravestone

Plaques and associated documents

Associated correspondence

Liverpool Centenary

Associated correspondence

Manchester Centenary Year

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists

Books

UK editions and reprints

Foreign English editions and reprints

Foreign language editions

Published extracts

Unpublished translated extract

Reviews

Associated correspondence

Associated documents

Critical and historical books, pamphlets and articles on RTP and Tressell

Dissertations

Associated correspondence

Talks and interviews about RTP and Tressell

Associated documents

Associated correspondence

Exhibition reports

References to RTPand Tressell in autobiographies, biographies, reviews and obituaries

References to RTPand Tressell in literature, literary criticism and literary companions

References to RTPand Tressell in works of politics, economics and history

Plays

Published playscripts

Associated documents

Unpublished playscripts and publicity

Reviews

Associated correspondence

Associated documents

References to stage productions in works of dramatic history and criticism

Audio, radio, film and TV

Productions

Reviews

Associated documents

Associated correspondence

Miscellaneousitems

Introduction

Kathleen Noonan, the only child of ‘Robert Tressell’, was barely 18 when she inheriteda few family items,after her father died, aged 40, in 1911. In 1914, soon afterThe Ragged Trousered Philanthropist was published, she went to Canada andmarried her cousin, Paul Alexander Meiklejon. Joan Irene was born in 1915, but Kathleen and Paul separated in 1918. In1962, Kathleen and Joanmoved to Europe and Joan married Reginald William Johnson in Germany in 1964. After Joan’s death in 2000, Mr Johnson inherited what he liked to call ‘The Robert Tressell Family Papers’, yet from 2001, virtually all the new items came from outside his family.Harold Smith, Barbara Salter and Jonathan Hyslopand others made important donations, whileI contributed well over a dozen scarce RTP editions, several published RTP playscripts, scores of associated books and original and copied booklets, and hundreds of original and copied leaflets, cuttings, letters and emails, which form a substantial part of the collection.

The institutions which hold the originals of copied documents are identified by their full name oran acronym.

HM=Hastings Museum, Bohemia Road, Hastings, TN34 1ET -

HL=Hastings Library, 13 Claremont, Town Centre, Hastings, TN34 1HE - 0345 608 0196

TUCC=Trade Union Congress Collections, London Metropolitan University, Holloway Road Learning

Centre, 236-250 Holloway Road, London, N7 6PP -

Mr Johnson did not reference many items, and much remains undiscovered, so uncertainties are indicated as follows.

?=uncertain or unknown

= no later than

=no earlier than

Since Mr Johnson's death in 2013, the University of Brighton has heldall the items that are not otherwise located, but not the hundreds of original and copied items I have collected since 2011 - marked DH – or many other documents.

Jacqueline and Fred Ball pioneered research intoNoonan’s life, but Jonathan Hyslop found vital information in South Africa, Marion Walls uncoveredNoonan’s criminal record, Jim Herlihy researched his father’s military career and Nick Reddan updatedThe Irish Crokers - - in 2013. In 2014,the Kilmacud Stillorgan Local History Society published Bryan MacMahon’s Robert Tressell, Dubliner–which is available from - andadded considerably to our knowledge. Unless otherwise attributed, official documentsrelating tothe Croker, Noonan and Zumbühl families, except for some of those concerning Kathleen Noonan,are the result of genealogical research carried out by Fíona Tipple,a family historian based in Dublin, with the assistanceof Bryan MacMahon of Dublin, and Brenda Douglas of Liverpool, the great grand-daughter of Robert's sisterEllen, who discovered the highly significant information in the 1881 census.

The locations ofthe official documents are identified here by their full name oranacronym.

GRO (D)=General Register Office, Dublin -

GRO (L)= General Register Office, London -

TNA= The National Archives, Kew, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 4DU -

Clive O’Connor constructed a family tree on the basis of this research andhe has kindly allowed me to reproduce it.

Typing The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists, RTP, Robert Croker/Noonan/Tressell/Tressall/Tressal or Tressolinto a search engine will produce severalmillion references, and while almost all contain opinions about the author and his book, and many offeropinions about other people’s opinions, almost none are based on any original research. Yet this level of interest is significant, and websites can vanish, so I have included references to some of them.I have also listed emails that throw light on the ‘Tressell story’ in the 21st century, thoughI cannot disclose the contents of those written by other people without seeing evidence of their informed consent.

I would be delighted to receive information that willresolve uncertainties, correct mistakes,reveal the whereabouts ofitems not yet located - NYL–and locate items not listed here. Hopefully, everythingrelating to ‘Robert Tressell’and The Ragged Trousered Philanthropistswill one day be under the same roof,or at least on the same website.

Dave Harker

The Croker, Noonan and Zumbühl Families

Samuel and Jane Usher Croker

Samuel Croker was born in Woodville, Waterford, Ireland, around 1789. (Baptismal record: NYL)

Jane Usher Quin was born in Dungarvan, county Waterford, around 1811. (Baptismal record: NYL)

Samuel Croker reportedly enlisted in the Royal Irish Constabulary in Dublin Castle in 1820 and was an Inspector by

1825. He was posted to Dungarvan, county Waterford, in 1826, and married Jane Usher Quin, in Affane, county Waterford, on 4 Sep 1827. (Church record:NYL). Samuel Croker ‘Esq’ was a ‘Local inspector of the County Waterford Constabulary’and the ‘Chief Officer of Police’by 1828.

Samuel Croker junior I was born in Dungarvan in 1828 and baptised on 30 Jun. (Baptismal record: NYL)

Anne Elizabeth Croker was born in Dungarvan in 1829 and baptised on 7 Nov.(Baptismal record: NYL)

Samuel Croker, ‘Chief Constable’ and ‘Local Inspector of Police’, was moved in Apr 1830.The Dungarvan Magistrates

presented him with an address approving his conduct and regretting his removal, but hewas the ‘Local inspector of Police’ at Carrick-on-Suir, county Tipperary,by May.

Arthur Robert Croker was born in Carrick-on-Suiraround 1832.(Baptismal record: NYL)

John Wilson Croker was born in Carrick-on-Suiraround 1834.(Baptismal record: NYL)

Samuel Croker junior I died in Dungarvan in 1834.(Burial record: NYL)

Samuel Croker senior was posted to Kilmacthomas, county Waterford, in 1834.

Samuel Croker junior II was born around 1836.(Baptismal record: NYL)

Samuel Croker senior was posted to Cappoquin, county Waterford, as a sub-inspector around 1837 and the Lord

Lieutenant appointed him asa ‘stipendiary magistrate’ inEnnis, county Clare, in Dec 1838. In Jul 1840, he was a character witness at the Clare Assizes trial ofJohn Carthy, who was charged with administering an illegal oath. Croker became a Resident Magistrate in 1840, and was a member of the Tipperary Grand Jury trial of James Scully for murder in Dec 1842. (Freeman’s Journal [Dublin], 22 Dec 1838, 17 Jul 1840, 8 Dec 1842.) Croker retired on 1 Apr 1843 with a pension of £400 a year.

Melian Jane Croker was born around 1844.(Baptismal record: NYL)

Samuel Croker junior II reportedly joined the Royal Irish Constabulary in 1846.

Arthur Croker (? = Arthur Robert) was a student at Queen’s College, Cork, in 1852.

Samuel Croker senior, charged with ‘seduction’ by Mary Birney, appeared at the Court of Common Pleas Nisi Prius in

Dublin, in May 1853. (Freeman’s Journal [Dublin], 10 May 1853.) (Outcome: NYL)

John Wilson Croker, the son of ‘Captain Croker’, was a ship-owner in Liverpool,and married Rebecca Franklin, at

St. Anne’s Church, Dublin, on 27 Feb 1857.

Samuel Croker junior II lived in Parsonstown, King’s county, in 1858, and contributed to the relief of sufferers of the

Indian Mutiny. (The Times [London], 1 Apr 1858.)

Samuel Croker senior, a retired Resident Magistrate living in Clonmel, applied for shares in the Galway Transatlantic

Steam Navigation Company on 29 Sep 1859. (Freeman’s Journal [Dublin], 30 Sep 1859.)

Samuel Croker junior II married Josephine Johnstone in Dublin on 25 Nov 1859. Both lived at Alboro Cottage, Amiens

Street.( ).(The Times [London], 26 Jan 1861, gave the date as 22 Nov 1860.)

Samuel Croker senior signed a petition requesting a shareholders’ meeting of the Atlantic Royal Mail Steam Navigation

Company (Limited) to petition the government to continue its subsidy. (Freeman’s Journal [Dublin], 28 Jul 1860.) He lived in Dublin by 1862 andhad Inverine Castle, Galway, mortgaged to him on 21 Nov. (Registry of Deeds, Dublin, Index of Lands County Galway.)From 1864 to 1866, he lived at 6 Sandford Place, Ranelagh, Dublin.

Arthur Robert Croker married Frances Smith in autumn 1866. (Marriage Certificate: NYL)

Samuel Croker senior lived at 28 Sandford Road, Ranelagh, Dublin, from 1866 to 1869.

Melian Jane Croker and Richard Millington, a brewer’s agent, aged 40, of 109 Belgrave Road, Birmingham, married in

Dublin in 1872.(Marriage Certificate: NYL)

Samuel Croker R[etired] M[agistrate] lived at 1 Winslow Terrace, Rathgar, Dublin, by 1870.On 11 Aug 1873, he

conveyed 145 Great Britain Street (now Parnell Street), Dublin, to Mary Anne Noonan. (Registry of Deeds, Property Registration Authority, Henrietta Street, Dublin. No 1873.33.078.)

Samuel Croker junior II still lived in Parsonstown, King’s county, in 1874.

Samuel Croker senior had moved to London by summer 1874, and on 2 Jun he granted Mary Anne Noonan an annuity.

(Registry of Deeds, Property Registration Authority, Henrietta Street, Dublin. No1874.33.090.)Crokerdied at 91 East India Road, [Poplar, London], on 6 Jan 1875. His Death Certificate gave his age as 86, his occupation as a ‘Retired Magistrate’ and the cause of death as‘Debility, old age’. M.J. Noonan, his ‘Grand daughter’, was‘in attendance’ at his death. (GRO (L): Poplar, Q1 1875, Vol 1C, 527.)

Anne Elizabeth Croker died in Dublin on 28 Mar 1880 and was buried inMount Jerome Cemetery. (Death Certificate:

NYL)

John Wilson Croker lived in Toxteth Park, Liverpool, gave his age as 47, and his birthplace as Carrick-on-Suir, in Apr

1881, and Rebecca, aged 44, gave her birthplace as Limerick.

Arthur Robert Croker, aged 53, was a surgeon major and lived in East Blachington, Sussex, in Apr 1881.

Samuel Croker junior II of 26 Cambridge Road, Rathmines, Dublin, appeared in Dublin Police Courtin Jun 1885,

charged with assaulting his wife. (Outcome: NYL)

Jane Usher Croker died at 32 London Grove, Princes-park, Liverpool, on 22 Jan 1887, aged 76. (GRO (L) Toxteth Park,

Q1 1887, Vol 8B, 193.)She was buried in Mount Jerome Cemetery, Dublin, alongside her daughter, Anne Elizabeth, and adeath notice appeared in The Times[London] on 26 Jan.Her estate was valued at £2,267 on 25 Jun, but was 'Resworn’ in Oct 1888, at £1,397, and probate was 'granted to Arthur Croker of S[?]House Basingstoke, 'a Retired Surgeon Major in Her Majesty's army the Son and one of the Next of Kin.' (Death Certificate: NYL)

Samuel Croker junior II spent some time in Brandon, Manitoba, Canada, but died at 146 Upper Abbey-street, Dublin,

on 1 January 1889, andwas buried in Mount Jerome Cemetery, alongside his mother and his sister Anne Elizabeth.His brother, John Wilson Croker of Liverpool, was granted administration of the estate. (Death Certificate: NYL)

Frances Croker of Claremont, Seaford, Sussex, died on 17 May 1896, and Arthur Croker, ‘gentleman’, was granted

administration of her ‘Effects’ of £3,126 on 8 Sep.

Arthur Robert Croker died in ? in Jul 1900.(Death Certificate: NYL)

John Wilson Croker was visiting his cousin at Rathgormac, Cappoquin, county Waterford, in Mar 1901, and gave his

age as 65 and his birthplace as Carrick Beg, county Waterford.

Rebecca Croker lived in Liverpool in Mar 1901.(Death Certificate: NYL)

Melian Jane, aged 59, and Richard Millington, a 60-year-old ‘Wine and Spirit Merchant’ born in Ireland, lived in Aston,

Birmingham, in Mar 1901, with their 27-year-old daughter, Jane E., born in Warwick.

John Wilson Croker diedin Catherine Street, Liverpool, on 19 Mar 1903.He left £1,547 to Rebecca.(Death Certificate:

NYL)

Melian Jane Croker died in Aston, Birmingham, in Oct-Dec 1908.(Death Certificate: NYL)

Mary Ann Noonanalias Croker,later Zumbühl

Mary Ann Noonan was born in ? Dublin,Ireland, in ? 1832.(Baptismal record: NYL)

Sebastian Zumbühl was born in Lucerne, Switzerland,in ? 1849. (Census returns of England & Wales, 1881 and

1891, TNA.)(Baptismal record: NYL)

Mary ‘Nunan’ (sic), sold 38 Bessborough Avenue, Dublin, in Aug 1873. Mary Noonan of East India Dock Road, London,

sold 145 Great Britain Street (now Parnell Street), Dublin, in Mar 1875.The tenant, Robert Johnston, at an annual

rent of £27.13s.10 1/4d (Registry of Deeds, Property Registration Authority, Henrietta Street, Dublin. Documents1873.30.145, 18Aug 1873 and 1875.9.264, 1 Mar 1875.)Mary Noonan married Sebastian Zumbühl inSt. Mary’s and St. Joseph’s [Catholic] Church, Pekin Road, Poplar, London, on 29 Mar 1875. The Marriage Certificate described Mary as a ‘widow’ (with ‘spinster’ scored out), aged ‘30’, who lived at 91 East India Road, Poplar, and her father, John Croker, was a deceased ‘Army Pensioner’. Sebastian, a 26-year-old cabinet-maker, lived at 40 Upper North Street, Poplar, and his father, Joseph Zumbühl, was a ‘Farmer’. (GRO (L) Poplar, Q1 1875, Vol 1C, 1027.)

Sebastian Joseph Zumbühl was born in St.Pancras, London, in Apr-Jun 1876.(GRO (L) Pancras, Q2 1876, Vol 1B, 60.)

(Baptismal record: NYL)

Leo Zumbühl was born in St. Pancras, London, in Jul-Sep1878. (GRO (L) Pancras, Q3 1878, Vol 1B, 41.)(Baptismal

record: NYL)

Sebastian Zumbühl senior lived at 37 Fitzroy Street,St. Pancras, London, in 1877-1880. (London electoral registers

1832-1965. Parish ofSt. Pancras, Ward No 7, 621.)Sebastian, Mary, Sebastian Joseph and Leo Zumbühl lived at 27 Elmore Street, Islington, London, in Apr 1881. Mary gave her age as ‘34’ and her birthplace as Dublin. Sebastian senior, a 32-year-old cabinet-maker, wasdescribed as a ‘natural[ised] British sub[ject]’. Sebastian Joseph, a ‘scholar’, was five, and Leo was two. Robert wassaid to have been born in London, and was nine, butwas not a ‘scholar’. The Elliott and Edgecombe families lived at the same address. (Census returns of England & Wales, 1881, TNA. Class RG11; Piece 250; Folio 75; Page 52.)Sebastian Zumbühl senior lived at 27 Elmore Street, Finsbury, [Islington] London, in 1883. (London electoral registers 1832-1965. Parish ofSt. Mary, Islington, Ward No 7, 823.)

Sebastian, described as ‘not naturalised’, Mary, Sebastian Joseph, an ‘apprentice cabinet-maker’, and Leo Zumbühl, a

‘scholar’, lived at 18 Chapel Place, Liverpool, in Apr 1891. (Census returns of England & Wales, 1891, TNA. Class RG12; Piece 2987; Folio 26; Page 48.)

Sebastian Zumbühl senior diedat 18 Chapel Place, Liverpool, on5 Jul 1894. (GRO (L) West Derby, Q3 1894, Vol 8B,

358.)(Death Certificate: NYL)

Mary Ann Zumbühl diedat 18 Chapel Place, Liverpool, on 23 Jun 1896. (GRO (L) West Derby, Q2 1896, Vol 8B, 366.)

She was buried on 23 Jun 1896. (Parish Register of St. Francis Xavier [Catholic] Church, Liverpool.)(Death

Certificate: NYL)

Leo Zumbühl died, aged 19, at Dudley, Southcote Road, Bournemouth, on 16 Oct 1897,of ‘Phthisis Pulmonalis, 4

months’. His Death Certificate described him as an ‘Artist’,and Mary E. Wright was present at his death. (GRO (L)Christchurch, Q4 1897, Vol 2B, 398.)

Sebastian Joseph Zumbühl married 18-year-old Marie Rixon in Bebington, Cheshire, on 25 Mar 1900. (GRO (L),

Birkenhead, Q11900, Vol 8A, 789.)(Marriage Certificate: NYL). They lived in her father’s house in Birkenhead in Mar 1901. (Census returns of England & Wales, 1901, TNA. Class RG13; Piece 3397; Folio 188; Page 150). Sebastian Joseph, a cabinet-maker’, and ‘Marion’ Zumbühl lived in Birkenhead in Apr 1911. (Census returns of England & Wales, 1911,TNA. Class RG14; Schedule 22010.)

Sebastian Joseph Zumbühl died in Birkenhead in Jan-Mar1915. (GRO (L), Birkenhead, Q1 1915, Vol 8A, 789.)(Death

Certificate: NYL)

Mary Jane Noonan (daughter of Mary Ann Noonan),later Meiklejon

Documents

John Bean Meiklejon was born inStepney, London, in Oct-Dec 1852. (Baptismal record: NYL)

Mary Jane Noonan was born in Preaching Lane, Athlone, county Westmeath, Ireland, in 1858.

‘Marian Joannam Nonan’ (sic) was baptisedat St. Mary’s Church, Athlone, on 24 Oct 1858. Her father was Samuel

‘Nonan’ and her mother was Mariae Croker. Her sponsor was Catherine Garvey.(

M.J. Noonan, ‘Grand daughter’, was ‘in attendance’ at the death of Samuel Croker at 91 East India Road [Poplar,

London], on 6 Jan 1875. (GRO (L): Poplar, Q1 1875, Vol 1C, 527.)

Mary Ann (sic) Noonan married John Bean Meiklejon at the [Protestant] Parish Church of St. John, Fitzroy Square,

[London], Middlesex, on 27 Dec 1875. The Marriage Certificate describedJohn as a 23-year-old ‘Draper’ and Mary as a 16-year-old ‘Spinster’. Both lived at 37 Fitzroy Street. Mary’s father, Samuel Noonan, was ‘Deceased’, and John’s father, also called John, lived at the ‘West India Docks’. The witnesses were Sebastian and Mary Zumbühlof 37 Fitzroy Street. (GRO (L)Pancras, Q4 1875, Vol 1B, 262.)

Edwin John Meiklejon was born in Stratford in Oct 1876. (Birth Certificate: NYL).

Alice Mary Meiklejon was born in ? Stratford in 1879. (Birth Certificate: NYL).

Ruby Florence Meiklejon was born in Stratford inJan 1881. (Birth Certificate: NYL).

Alice MaryMeiklejonwas ‘blind from birth' and lived at the Royal Normal College for the Blind, in Croydon, Surrey, in

Apr 1881.

Percival HarryMeiklejon was born inStratford in Jan 1882. (Birth Certificate: NYL).

A Working Catalogue

Dave Harker

Contents

Introduction