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| Article compiled by Chris Bailey, Edward Bailey's great-grandson, 2008 | ||||||||
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| Edward, the second of six children, was born to John and Ellen Bailey on
Edward Bailey
Born Married - 29th August 1892 – at The Baptist Chapel, Died Buried
Lucy Sturman
Born - December 1866 – at Died – 20th October 1952 – at St Mary’s Hospital, Kettering Buried – at
Edward and Lucy
Edward was a native of Cranford St John however, after his marriage, he resided at Burton Latimer until his death on Between 1893 and 1911 Edward and Lucy produced 10 children. Unfortunately two died in infancy and two were born blind. Another spent the majority of his years in St Crispins, a mental institution formerly known as the Northampton County Lunatic Asylum! Edward’s fifth child, my Grandfather, Frank Edward Bailey (1902 – 1993) and his son, my Father, Roy Bailey (1926 - 2015) were both born at Burton Latimer. Edward was a man of many activities in the town and earned the highest esteem and regard of those he came into contact with, both in his private life and the business and public duties of the town he was so proudly connected with. The Cranford Ironstone Company The 1881 census for Cranford records Edward, age 14, already at work as an Ironstone Miner and clearly, as shown by the 1891 census, he had learnt to read and write enabling him to progress to the position of company clerk. In fact Edward worked for the Cranford Ironstone Company for over fifty years and, according to his obituary, he "earned the highest confidence and trust of his employers, and the greatest esteem and regard of the ironstone workers and others with whom his duties brought him into contact". Ancient Order of Foresters - Rose of Northamptonshire The Ancient Order of Foresters was formed in 1834, although its origins lie in a much older society called the Royal Foresters formed in the 18th century. In 1834 the parent court became dictatorial and insisted that changes in the rules governing the Courts of the Royal Foresters should be in their hands. The majority seceded and the Ancient Order of Foresters was formed. Edward was a leading Forester in the town and was described as an invaluable brother and officer of the Court “Rose of Northamptonshire”. The annual Foresters Directory confirms that he was the treasurer from 1905 until 1932. Anecdotal evidence suggests that Edward was a generous man and if he had a ‘spare penny’ in his pocket it would be passed on to someone less fortunate.
For three years he sat as a member of the Kettering Guardians. A 1926 directory entry shows him as one of four Overseers of the Poor. It’s ironic that 100 years earlier Edward’s Great Grandfather George was in receipt of Poor Money!
Both Edward’s marriage and funeral services took place at the All of his children were born at Burton Latimer, and given his strong ties to the At least three of Edward's children were married at Burton Latimer Baptist Chapel. The picture to the left shows his daughter Kathleen on her wedding day. Burton Latimer Co -Operative Perhaps Edward’s chief and greatest interest in the town was in the Co-operative movement. He was elected to the first presidency of the Burton Latimer Co-operative Society in 1899 and remained in that position for a period of 22 years, being re-elected year after year unopposed. He was still a member of the committee at his decease.
When Edward retired from the position in 1920 the Society suitably recognised the unswerving loyalty he had shown to the cause and his untiring efforts on its behalf. He was presented with a black mantle clock. The clock has/is to be handed down from generation to generation and is presently in the custody of Roy Bailey. * After researching the picture of the Burton Latimer Co-operative Society it transpires that I am related to two people in the picture. My Great Grandfather’s son Edward married May Granger, who was the daughter of Charles Patrick Granger (also a Society member) and who is standing directly behind Edward. So two Great Grandfathers in one picture! Charles’s brother, Albert, was also a resident of Burton Latimer and an account of village life dictated by him is recorded in the History and Development Section. Parish Council 1919–1927
Edward was elected as a Labour Co-operative member of the Parish Council in 1919, became Vice Chairman in 1921 and re-elected again in 1922 and honoured with the Chairmanship of the Council. Burton Latimer secured Urban powers in 1923 and Edward went to the polls with the Liberal candidates and was re-elected as an Urban District Councillor. He did not seek office at the 1927 election. One of the proudest days of his life’s activities must surely be when he presided over the enormous assembly at the unveiling of the town’s War Memorial on the day following the sixth anniversary of the signing of the Armistice. His Chairmanship of the Council that year gave him a distinguished position at this auspicious occasion. It was one of the greatest assemblies the town had ever seen and a full account is recorded under War Memorial Dedication 1922 An Appreciation written by Mr. S Mason.
As an amateur genealogist I have found it very rewarding to find and gather information on the first person in my direct family line who was not an agricultural labourer and could actually read and write. Chris Bailey |
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