MATLOCK
Engraved by B. Howlett
The caption is "Matlock" but this is an engraving of
Matlock Bath and was signed by B : Howlett S C[1].
Tourists of the
time could not go overseas because of the French Revolution and
the Napoleonic Wars so guides were printed to encourage people
to visit parts of the British Isles they may not have been to before
as an alternative to the Grand Tour. In the preface to the book
Howlett's engraving was published in the author wrote that he "hopes
his work will furnish information and advice to those persons
who are at a loss to know where their leisure may most agreeably
be spent, or their health the most completely restored[2]"
....
In June 1799 John Leedham had taken over running the Old Bath
from Robert Mason, the hotel's proprietor for many years[3],
and he placed two advertisements in the local press which confirm
that the Old Bath and Temple Hotels were one hotel at the time;
the Temple was an annexe of the Old Bath[4].
Unfortunately, Mr. Leedham experienced then financial difficulties[5].
Although the matter was eventually sorted out he had to give up
the hotel. A notice seeking a new tenant, below, was placed in
the press in September 1806.
Derby Mercury 25 September 1806
MATLOCK OLD BATH, DERBYSHIRE.
To be LET for a term of years,
And entered upon at (or before) Old Lady-day next.
THAT well known large commodious and much frequented House
called MATLOCK OLD BATH, with the Offices, Baths, Stables,
Coach-houses, Lands, tenements and hereditaments thereto belonging,
(on which upwards of £3000 have been lately laid out
in Improvements and Conveniences) lately in the possession
of Mr. Leedham.
Also that well known commodious House called the Temple, standing
at a convenient distance from the said Bath House, together
with the stables, Coach-houses, large Gardens, and Pleasure
Grounds thereto belonging, late also in the possession of Mr.
Leedham.
The valuable Good and Furniture of both the said Houses, may
be had at a fair Appraisement.
For further Particulars, and to treat for both, or either,
of the said houses, apply to ANTHONY LAX MAYNARD, esq Chesterfield,
Derbyshire; and Mr. Froggatt at the Bath, will shew the premises.
18 September, 1806. |
The image at the top of the page dates from shortly before Joseph
Notzel Cumming, who was brought up in Buxton in his later childhood[6],
and his wife Mary began running the Old Bath Hotel. An advertisement
that Mr. Cumming placed in the press not long after he moved
in, announcing his arrival in Matlock Bath, is below.
Derby Mercury 12 February 1807
OLD BATH, MATLOCK.
J. CUMMING
HAVING taken the Old Bath for a Term of Years, most respectfully
solicits the patronage and support of the Nobility and Public
in general, and assures them that nothing in his power shall
be wanting to make it in every respect as comfortable as
any house of the kind in the Kingdom.
Independent of the Natural Baths at present in the House,
it is intended immediately to erect one which may be heated
to any temperature. There will be regular Assemblies for
the accommodation of the Company in the house, and the families
resident in the Neighbourhood. |
Shortly afterwards John Leedham made his farewells to the Old Bath,
having transferred to the Great Hotel. The only part of that building
that is still a hotel is Hodgkinson's Hotel.
York Herald, 7 March 1807
HOTEL, MATLOCK BATH.
JOHN LEEDHAM,
(Late of the Old Bath, Matlock,) BEGS Leave to return
his sincere Thanks to the Public, for the many Favours conferred
on him during the Time he resided at the Old Bath, and now
takes the liberty of informing you that he has taken the HOTEL
for a Term of Years, which he intends to open on or before
the Fifth Day of April next ; and he solicits and hopes for
the Patronage and Support of his Friends and the Public, who
my rely upon finding the Hotel in every respect a comfortable
House. - Several additional Parlours have been made ; three
of them are on the Chamber Story.
*** The BATH belonging to the Hotel is very large and commodious,
and the Stables and Coach-Houses are very complete.
Matlock Bath, Feb 10., 1807. |
On 15 Jan 1808 a ticketed sale was held at the Old Bath. Oak, Ash,
Elm, Maple and Alder trees were to be sold, together with 30 smaller
trees of the same type, together with their Tops. They were from
the Wood and other parts of the Old Bath's land[7].
A few years later David Peter Davies described the scene shown
above:
"Following the lower road, which leads to the Old Bath, another
house of public reception, a new and most pleasing point of view
is reached. Here the river recedes in a curve from the road,
forming a little meadow as a foreground to the picture. This
is firmly opposed and backed, by a line of rock and wood, a mass
of trees to the right, and shutting out, for a short time, all
other features of the scenery[8]".
Joseph Cumming passed away in 1820 but his family remained
at the Old Bath and their involvement with the hotel did not end
until the sale of the residue of the contents in early January
1843 when one of the lots was a "handsome carpet purchased
purposely for the drawing room when the Queen Dowager visited Matlock"[9].
This was Queen Adelaide, who was here in 1840. |
References (coloured
hyperlinks are to information elsewhere on this web site):
[1] Bartholomew Howlett (1767-1827) was
a draughtsman and landscape engraver. He was baptized at Gainsborough
on 5 July 1767 (IGI).
There is more information about him in the Oxford
Dictionary of National Biography.
[2] "A Guide to all the Watering
and Sea-Bathing Places; with a Description of the Lakes ..." (1806),
by the Editor of The Picture of London, London : Printed for
Richard Phillips, 6, Bridge-street, Blackfriars, and to be had
of the Booksellers at all the Watering and Sea-bathing Places ; W.
Lewis, Printer, Paternoster Row booksellers.
[3] Robert Mason was buried at St. Giles
in August 1810. See the parish
register transcript (scroll down) and information
about his Will which was proved the following year.
[4] "The Derby Mercury",
4 July 1799 and "The Derby Mercury",
5 June 1800. See next
page.
[5] See Matlock & Matlock
Bath Names in the London Gazette, 1801-10 between 1806-10 and 1811
[6] See Cumming
biographies.
[7] "Derby Mercury", 7 January
1808.
[8] Davies, David Peter (1811) "History
of Derbyshire" pub. S. Mason, Belper, p.467.
Derbyshire's Parishes, 1811 is
based on this book and is a searchable alphabetical listing on
site. There are descriptions of parishes in the county, including
Matlock and Matlock Bath.
[9] "Derby Mercury",
28 December 1842. Mr. Brearey's notice for the sale which would
take place between 9th and 14th Jan 1843.
[10] Adam, W. (1838) "The Gem of
the Peak; or Matlock Bath and Its Vicinity. ..." London; Longman & Co.,
Paternoster Row ; ... Mawe, Royal Museum, Matlock ; .... This was
the first edition of his guide.
Both the date and the name Egginton were written on a stone over
a circular window of the Gentleman's Bath. Egginton's
name was still visible on this stone when Adam wrote his first guide,
although Adam gave his name as Egerton.
Probably understandable as the plaque was said to be hard to read.
|
Matlock & Matlock
Bath Public Notices & Announcements