C
Christopher Witcomb
Guest
I am trying to trace an ancestor Robert James Witcomb born in Tamworth 1839 [and especially his father of same name born about 1806, where? and his mother Louisa 1809- 1887 born and died Birmingham]
Robert junior was born blind and was in the Islington [row?] Blind School [5 ways] in 1851 census and I believe stayed there many years to become a teacher [of music]before starting his own business
He was a pianist and organ player [in church? St Lukes?] and later advertised as a music teacher and possibly a retailer of pianos in the Edgbaston area ?
He was married twice , first to Elizabeth Whitehurst [1837-1885] a marriage which produced two children Charles Percy and Lucy Mary and then later [following death of first wife] to Elizabeth Adcock [who was also blind and may also have been a teacher at the blind school]
He lived to 1909 in Edgbaston area.
I believe the blind centre opened in 1847 in Islington House, Broad St but then relocated to Carpenter rd in 1852 [and closed in 1954]
I have read that many organists , pianists and piano tuners came from blind schools including Birmingham . The opening of these Schools may have been due to the large numbers of blind children in early Victorian times [then an unknown result of parental Syphilis]
I am related to Robert Juniors older brother, John James Witcomb who is my gg grandfather.
I would like to know if there any documents for admission to the blind school [as would be completed by parents]
Also if there is a register of teachers at the institute across the period
I also read somewhere that there was a blind piano tuner and retailer from Islington called Mr Richards who may have been later in same business?
Also is there a list of St Luke organists 1855 - 1907?
Any help , comments much appreciated
Best Regards
Chris
Robert junior was born blind and was in the Islington [row?] Blind School [5 ways] in 1851 census and I believe stayed there many years to become a teacher [of music]before starting his own business
He was a pianist and organ player [in church? St Lukes?] and later advertised as a music teacher and possibly a retailer of pianos in the Edgbaston area ?
He was married twice , first to Elizabeth Whitehurst [1837-1885] a marriage which produced two children Charles Percy and Lucy Mary and then later [following death of first wife] to Elizabeth Adcock [who was also blind and may also have been a teacher at the blind school]
He lived to 1909 in Edgbaston area.
I believe the blind centre opened in 1847 in Islington House, Broad St but then relocated to Carpenter rd in 1852 [and closed in 1954]
I have read that many organists , pianists and piano tuners came from blind schools including Birmingham . The opening of these Schools may have been due to the large numbers of blind children in early Victorian times [then an unknown result of parental Syphilis]
I am related to Robert Juniors older brother, John James Witcomb who is my gg grandfather.
I would like to know if there any documents for admission to the blind school [as would be completed by parents]
Also if there is a register of teachers at the institute across the period
I also read somewhere that there was a blind piano tuner and retailer from Islington called Mr Richards who may have been later in same business?
Also is there a list of St Luke organists 1855 - 1907?
Any help , comments much appreciated
Best Regards
Chris