Last Monday was interred at Fordingbridge, the remains of Mr. Thomas Kidner, an eminent farmer of Burgate. His corps was attended by a great many of his most respectable neighbours, and his servants, who are numerous, deeply regret the loss of so generous and benevolent a benefactor.
Hampshire Chronicle, August 22, 1774
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On 16th January 1797 a John Kidner was christened at Fort Marlborough, Bencoolen, Sumatra
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Wm. Pearson and Mary Pearson were committed for uttering a false note for 1l. to Mr Kidner, a butcher, residing in Bermondsey.
The Times, August 27, 1818
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Sailing Boat - to be sold, a beautiful sailing boat, clinker built, quite new, with every kind of stores necessary of the best quality, about 5 tons burden, Cowes built, of oak, and copper fastened; the property of an officer in the navy, who has no further use for her. To be seen at Richmond-bridge: and particulars to be obtained from W.Z. Kidner, waterman, Richmond.
The Times, 18 September 1823
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A Very valuable Freehold Estate, consisting of 6 substantial brick-built houses and shops, including the Welsh Harp public-house and Key Hotel, situate and being Nos. 23, 24. 25, 26 and 27, in Chandos-street, Covent-garden. Also an extensive timber-yard and 6 houses, Nos. 6 to 11 inclusive, in Vine-street, immediately behind the houses in Chandos-street and now let part on leases, which will shortly expire, to Messrs. Dell, Armstrong, Kidner, Newcombe, Wright, Ritchie and Hansler, at low rents, amounting to nearly 400l. per annum. The premises may be viewed by permission of the tenants, and particulars had, 10 days' prior to the sale, at Garraway's; of George Gwynn, solicitor, Lewes, Sussex; and at Mr. Farebrother's offices at 6 Wellington-street, Strand.
The Times, Monday, March 8, 1824.
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Freehold Cottage Residence, and 3 acres of Land, near Staines, Middlesex
Mr Newton very respectfully notifies that he will SELL by AUCTION, peremptorily, at the Mart, on Wednesday October 28, at 12, a small genteel FREEHOLD COTTAGE RESIDENCE, distinguished as Hawthorn Cottage, delightfully situate, at Ashford, in the county of Middlesex, one mile from Staines, 7 from Windsor, 8 from Kingston and Richmond, and 15 from London. Capital roads in all directions, and a coach to and from London daily. Detached are stable, coach-house, cow-house, and yard, productive kitchen garden and orchard: the whole in a ring fence, containing together 3 acres, in the occupation of Mr Kidner, a most respectable and responsible tenant, under an agreement, two years unexpired, at a clear net rent of £25 a year, the tenant keeping the premises in repair. Printed descriptive particulars may be obtained of Mr. Francis, solicitor, 16, Austinfriars; at the Mart; and at Mr. Newton's offices, 95, Cheapside.
The Times, Wednesday, October 21, 1835.
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WANTED, as NURSE (not under-nurse), where another is kept, a respectable young woman of about 24 or 25 years of age. She must be a good nurse, will be required to work well with her needle, and to assist in a small part of the housework. Apply by letter, post-paid, to A.B., care of Mr. Kidner, butcher, Bedford-street, Bedford-row.
The Times, Saturday, January 30, 1836.
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John Kidner, aged 28, was convicted at Taunton of stealing six pecks of barley of George Coombe, and was sentenced on 1 April 1837 to two calendar months in the House of Correction at Wilton Gaol, Taunton.
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Margaret Kidner was brought up for re-examination, charged with robbing her master Mr Francis Fisher, of Queen-square, Bloomsbury of upward of 300l. worth of property. The prisoner, it will be recollected, had been 18 months in the prosecutor's service as housemaid, and the highest opinion was entertained of her until last Tuesday, when her master having missed some plate sent for Inspector Jenkins of the E Division who, on searching her, found 10% pawnbroker's duplicates; 50 of which had reference to plate. It was proved that within a month of her apprehension she had raised more than 50l. upon property belonging to her master, whose loss in the whole affair through her depredations amount to between 300l. and 400l. Between 20 and 30 pawnbrokers were in attendance with the plunder, and prisoner was fully committed to Newgate for trial.
The Times, September 9, 1837
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On Saturday, the 10th instant, four ducks and a drake were stolen from Mr. James Webber, of Westmonckton, being all the poultry he had.
Mr John Kidner, jun., of the Glebe-house, Thurloxton, has been visited by poultry stealers three times this winter; first they took all his fowls; next his ducks; and last time his geese. A few months since, Mr. England, of the same parish, had two of his best fat sheep stolen.
Taunton Courier, February 21, 1838
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AS GARDENER, a man, aged 29, without encumbrance, who is perfect in his business in all its branches, and has no objection to milk a cow if required. Can have an unexceptional character from the place he is about to leave. Direct to A.B., Mr Kidner's, grocer, Millpond-street, Bermondsey.
The Times, Wednesday, April 24, 1839.
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PARTNERSHIPS DISSOLVED ...Kidner and Stokes, Hammersmith, dyers.
The Times, Wednesday, September 4, 1844.
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South-Western Railway, Chertsey branch.-To be LET, a small HOUSE, adapted for a private residence or business, with good garden and a side carriage entrance. Rent £18 per annum. Apply to Mr Kidner, builder, Chertsey.
The Times, February 18, 1848
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Bridgewater. — On Tuesday last, Robert Kidner was brought up in custody, charged with riotous and disorderly conduct on the previous evening, in West-street, for which he was fined 1l. and 6s. costs, and as he had not the wherewithal to pay, he was committed to Wilton gaol for one month. The same person was also charged with assaulting police constable Hobbs in the execution of his duty. From the evidence given, it appeared that the prisoner had been guilty of most violent conduct and had repeatedly kicked Hobbs, whilst he was endeavouring with the assistance of two other constables, whom he was obliged to call to his aid, to convey him to gaol. The defendant seemed to take the matter very coolly, and desired to see the mark that he had made on the constable’s leg. The magistrates present inflicted the highest penalty allowed by the law, viz., 5l., and the cost 7s., and in default of payment the defendant was committed for one calendar month with hard labour. The defendant in this case is a notoriously bad character, having been committed for various offences—from Bridgwater Petty Sessions alone ten times; he has also been several times put on his trial for felony.
Salisbury and Winchester Journal, Saturday 22 September 1849
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NOTICE is hereby given that, by a Deed of Conveyance and Assignment, bearing date the 15th day of July 1858, WILLIAM KIDNER, of the city of Bath, in the county of Somerset, carpenter and builder, GRANTED and ASSIGNED all his REAL and PERSONAL ESTATE whatsoever and wheresoever unto James Lester, of the said city of Bath, timber merchant, and William Holmes, of the same city, timber merchant, upon trust, for the benefit of the creditors of the said William Kidner, who shall execute the said indenture, or assent thereto in writing; which said indenture was duly executed by the said William Kidner on the day of the date thereof in the presence of....[&c. &c]
The Times, Tuesday, August 10, 1858.
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FISHING and SHOOTING. - To be LET, a small, genteel FARM-HOUSE, with stabling if required, situate near the village of Sunbury, and the privelege of shooting over a farm of 300 acres. Apply to Mr. Kidner, Sunbury, Middlesex.
The Times, Tuesday, June 3, 1862
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DEATHS
On the 21st inst., JOHN KIDNER, 65, Brixton-road, aged 63, deeply lamented.
The Times, Thursday, April 24, 1873
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SMITHFIELD CLUB CATTLE SHOW
It is agreed on all hands that the present Show of the Smithfield Club is not only the largest but the best in point of quality which has been seen in the Agricultural Hall, not because the crack beasts eclipse in merit of shape and feeding any specimens of a former time, but because all the classes are handsomely filled with animals of higher excellence throughout than we remember to have witnessed on any previous occasion.
There is an unprecendented entry of cattle, numbering 242 animals. The most meritorious display is made by the Devons, amounting to 45 entries; and this year a really marvellous specimen of this breed has succeeded in carrying off the £100 Champion Plate as best beast in the Show, being the first time that the chief honour has been won by a Devon.
The Champion Devon ox, bred and exhibited by Mr. Samuel Kidner, of Bickley Farm, Milverton, Somerset, wins the first prize of £25 in his class, the £40 silver cup as best animal of the Devon breed, the £50 cup as best steer or ox in the classes, and the £100 plate as best beast in the Show, amounting to a value of £215 altogether, with the addition also of a silver medal to Mr. Kidner as the breeder. These are handsome winnings for a single Show, and it is not to be wondered at, that a well-known Devon exhibitor has been heard in the Hall lamenting how he declined to purchase the animal last year for about a fourth of the above sum. This ox's pedigree happens to be omitted from the Catalogue, but he is by Mr. Walter Farthing's "Lord Quantock", half-brother to "Viscount", and his dam is "Cherry", from the Quartly stock. The striking characteristic of this animal is his amazing substance rather than perfection of form and even feeding; a genuine Devon of excellent type he is, but with the massive proportions of a larger breed, and take him where you will will, you find his expanded frame everywhere filled out and loaded with thick beef of superfine quality. His dead weight may reach 100 imperial stones.
The Times, Tuesday, December 5, 1876
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BIRMINGHAM CATTLE AND POULTRY SHOW
..... The Devons are not very numerous. In the class of steers or oxen not exceeding three years old we have the crack of the Show, which is Mr. Samuel Kidner's ox - the Islington champion here winning the first prize in his class, the 50-guinea prize as the best Devon, Lord Wrottesley's £25 plate as the best animal in the hall bred and fed by the exhibitor, and also the Elkington Challenge Cup, value 100 guineas, as the best animal, whether bred by the exhibitor or not... This marvellous animal, loaded with the best of flesh on all points, without being in the least overdone anywhere, wanting only in that perfection of even contour which is sometimes displayed in the most superb models, still surprises with his extraordinary back, ribs and forequarters, besides carrying a head which, with docile eyes, fine muzzle, and kind wiry horn, is of admirable Devon character.
The Times, Friday, December 15, 1876
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Glasgow News, May 20 1878,-- doings in John Shattock's farmhouse, nr Bridgwater. Fires had started up unaccountably. A Superintendent of Police investigated and suspected a servant girl, Ann Kidner, aged 12, because he had seen a hayrick flame, while she was passing it. Loud raps were heard. Things in the house, such as dishes and loaves of bread, moved about. The policeman ignored whatever he could not explain, and arrested the girl, accusing her of tossing lighted matches. But a magistrate freed her, saying that the evidence was insufficient.
(Quoted in The Complete Book of Charles Fort by Charles Fort, Roy P Mackal. ISBN 0486230945)
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MONEY-MARKET AND CITY INTELLIGENCE
Messrs. Allott, Hadfield, Kidner, and Hawson, of Sheffield, public accountants, have opened a London office at 6A, Austinfriars, E.C., which will be carried on under the personal management of Mr. Alfred Allott and Mr. W.G. Hawson.
The Times, Saturday, January 11, 1879
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Among the prizes at a rifle contest held at Wimbledon was Capt. Kidner's Challenge Cup, value 10 guineas.
The Times, Monday, September 15, 1879
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CROWN COURT. - (Before Lord Justice THESIGER.)
Maria Kidner, 14, was charged with attempting to murder Lily Bowerman on the 8th of December.
Mr. Poole prosecuted; the Hon. B. Coleridge defended the prisoner at the request of the learned Judge.
The prisoner was a general servant in the employment of Mr. Bowerman, a timber merchant, living close to the docks at Bridgwater. The child Lily Bowerman, aged 7, had tea with her parents about 5 o'clock, and shortly afterwards she was missed. The child's mother saw the prisoner, and asked where the child was. The answer given by the prisoner was that she had not seen Lily sine tea. The mother went to the water-butt in the back yard, and the prisoner said, "She hasn't been there." On hearing that the child had been found the prisoner ran away to her sister's, but was brought back into the room where the child was. The mother then said, "You wicked girl, it's you who've thrown the child into the water." She said "I didn't". The child looked up and said, "Oh! you story, Maria, you know you did."
It was proved that the little child was found in the mud of the dock (the tide being out) about 150 yards from her father's house, some 3 ft. from the dock wall, which is about 19ft. high, and at the edge is protected by a fence of chains. A ladder was obtained, and the child taken out insensible, her head and legs being under the mud. She remained insensible for about an hour afterwards.
The little child was called and gave her evidence with great clearness. She said that after tea she had gone into the kitchen, and the prisoner said, "I want you to go out and pick up some sticks with me." They went out in the back yard, and the prisoner said, "I'll pump, and then they'll think we've gone to fill the kettle." The the prisoner told her to run and said, "Go out by the river side, I want to tell you something." She then said, "Stand near the edge of the river." The witness then said, "I went under the chains, and she (the prisoner) put up her two hands against my back and pushed me in. I said, 'Oh! Maria, I'll tell Mother.'"
On cross-examination she said that her evidence had not been read over to her since she had been before the magistrates; that she had to stoop down to get under the chains; that she ran under them quickly, it being quite dark, and the prisoner ran under the chains close after her. The prisoner, on being apprehended, made no reply to the charge.
The prisoner's mother was called and said that the prisoner was over 14; on being cross-examined she said she could not remember in what year the prisoner was born, but her birthday was in September.
Mr. POOLE summed up the case for the prosecution, and said no motive for the crime had been proved, but commented on the fact of the prisoner having denied having seen the little girl after tea and of having run away before any charge had been made against her.
For the defence, Mr. COLERIDGE urged that there was no evidence to show any previous quarrel or bad disposition on the prsioner's part, and that what had happened was the result of an accident, or, at the worst, was merely the result of foolish and damgerous playing, and he appealed to the jury to acquit the prisoner altogether, as they must do that or else convict the prisoner of the intent to murder, there being no other alternative.
His LORDSHIP, in summing up, expressed his obligation to Mr. Coleridge for the care and skill with which he had conducted the defence, and said the case demanded the most serious attention of the jury. He pointed out that there was no evidence of any motive, and there was no proof of any ill-will between the prisoner and the little child, or between the prisoner and her mistress, and it might be presumed they were on friendly terms. His Lordship then proceeded to review the evidence with great care, and in the result the prisoner was Acquitted.
The Times, Thursday, February 5, 1880
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POLICE
AT BOW STREET, before Sir James Vaughan, Sidney Herbert Kidner, 18, porter, of Wych-street, was charged with breaking and entering three offices at New Inn, Strand. It appeared that the prisoner, who is stated to be of weak intellect, is a relation of the office cleaner employed at Nos. 2 and 13, New Inn, with whom he lodges, and who employs him to do odd jobs for her. About 5 o'clock on Thursday, January 5, he came to the office of Mr Fisher, Solicitor, 9, New Inn, and inquired for his relative. On being told that she was not in the building he went away, but the next morning Mr Fisher, on unlocking his cash drawer, found the cash-box, which had contained £7 6s in money and stamps, quite empty. None of the doors had been forced, and the prisoner, when arrested last Saturday in Wych-street by Detective-Sergeant Gough, and Detective Davis, admitted the theft, and explained that he had obtained admission to the office through a window, which he had reached from the porch by means of a ladder. He said, however, that he only took £1 from the cash-box, opening the drawer by removing a piece of wood, which he afterwards replaced, and made his exit as he had come. He said that he then went to Brighton, where he returned on the following Saturday evening, when a gentleman engaged him to take some boxes to No. 10. He did so, and then, finding no-one about, entered an office in No. 13, belonging to Mr W.B. SOMMER. He tried the cash drawer, but could not open it, and then went to No. 9, broke open a window with a chisel, and entering Messrs Page & Scorer's office, robbing the cash drawer of 5s. After this he went back to Brighton, returning to London on the day on which he was arrested. Sergeant Gough said that this appeared to be the prisoner's first offence. He came from a very respectable family, but of late had got into bad company. The prisoner was committed for trial.
The Times, January 17, 1899
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INQUESTS
An inquest was held at Deptford last night on the bodies of EDWARD FREDERICK HARRY and PERCY ELDERTON KIDNER, aged 26 and 14 years respectively, who were suffocated by noxious fumes from a geyser used for heating a bath in the room they occupied together in a house in Brockley-road. The evidence showed that early Tuesday morning they lit the geyser to heat the bath, and an hour later were found by their mother dead in bed. A doctor said that the cause of death was asphyxia produced by carbonic oxide from burnt gas, and a verdict of accidental death was returned.
The Times, 12 April, 1901
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HORSE IN A TAUNTON SHOP
FRIGHTENED BY A TRAM - THE RIDER THROWN
Everybody has heard of a bull in a china shop, but it is not everyday that one sees a horse right inside a restaurant. This, however, was the case on Tuesday afternoon, when a somewhat extraordinary and alarming accident occurred in Bridge-street, Taunton, just near the Staplegrove-road junction. It appears that Mr. John Kidner, the well-known agriculturalist and cattle breeder, of Dodhill, Kingston, was riding a horse, when a tram passed, and frightened the animal. It plunged and kicked so much that Mr. Kidner was thrown off into the road, but fortunately not hurt. The horse, however, ran straight into the refreshment-rooms of Miss Woodman, where, perhaps, it was desirous of having something cool after its exertions. The terrified animal walked right through the shop, and along the passage leading to the back parlour. Miss Woodman and her partner were naturally much alarmed at seeing such an unexpected customer enter the shop, but, fortunately, and most curious to say, no damage whatever was done by the animal. Mr. Saunders rendered some assistance, and Mr. Kidner was soon on the scene and succeeded in leading his horse quietly out of the shop into the roadway again, where he was able to re-mount. The incident naturally caused considerable excitement and not a little amusement to the people who were passing and the neighbouring tradesmen.
Taunton Courier and Western Advertiser, Wednesday, June 28, 1905
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This page last updated on 26th October 2014