I enjoy researching the social history and lesser known characters of the Georgian England and in particular Georgian Bath.
A particular interest is dancing and its role Georgian Society and the dancers, teachers, musician who helped in its development.
My other interest is in the horse racing of the period which saw the emergence of the thoroughbred race horse and had its own unique culture and characters.
I am always happy to share information with people who share my interests.
Follow @perkins60
I was very interested to find your blog as I am trying to research my great-great-great grandfather who was listed as a Dancing Master of Kingsmead, Bath in 1816. His name was George Edward Turner and his wife was Mary Turner and his son, my great-great grandfather was George Edward Taplin(g) Turner. At the time of G.E.T. Turner’s birth in 1814 he was stated to be a musician.
ReplyDeleteI believe (though I could be wrong) that George Edward Turner was born in Leicestershire in 1782/3 and came to Bath, via London sometime between 1796-1800 and may have travelled between the 2 places. By the 1841census, George is a musical instrument maker with a second family, living in Portugal Street and his son G.E.T Turner is also a musical instrument maker.
George Edward seems not to have flourished in his dancing and musical career….. he may even be the young failed actor “Mr Turner” who was mentioned as performing in London, Manchester and Bath in the late 1790’s and early 1800’s and who was described as giving a woeful performance of Macbeth for his debut (I have no evidence of him starting as a actor but it could follow that he tried a number of performing arts in his quest for fame!).
If you have come across any mentions of a Mr Turner as either Dancing Master and/or Musician in Bath in my period of interest 1796-1827 or if you can tell me what was going on in the Kingsmead area where he lived, I would be really grateful.
Val Hannington
Cannot find any references to Turner as either a musician or Dancing master. There is a G Turner who worked as a Taylor and Draper in various locations but not Kingsmead. There is a Mr Turner living in Kingsmead terrace in 1800 but no profession is given. There were a number of private schools in the Kingsmead area at this time and he may have been attached to one of those in some capacity. They all included dancing on the curriculum.
DeleteTwo things--first, I wonder if you're familiar with my book, *The Playford Assembly*, which I think you would enjoy. Folksales sells it in the UK. Second, I'm curious about "Twenty-Four Dances for the year 1738 with proper tunes Figures or Directions for each Dance," pub. Cook--it's not a resource I've seen. Is it held in a library? is it online somewhere? is it your own?
ReplyDeleteSorry for the delay in reply I have not read your book I'm afraid I will try to locate a copy. The dance collection is at the British Library. The index record is as follows:
DeleteTitle: Twenty Four Country Dances for the Year 1738. With Proper Tunes, Figures or Directions to Each Dance ... The Tunes proper for the Violin, German Flute, or Hoboy, etc.
Subjects: Dewey: 780
Publication Details: [London] : Printed for Benj. Cooke, [1738.]
Language: Unspecified
Uniform Title: Country Dances.
Identifier: System number 004283524
Physical Description: obl. 4.̊
Shelfmark(s): Music Collections a.9.d.(1.)
UIN: BLL01004283524
thank you for your comments.... with regard to George Edward turner's occupation, I am going by his occupation as described on the christening entries of his children.... he went between London and Bath and was variously described as "a dancer", "a dancing master", "a musician", "an actor" and then laterly he was a musical instrument maker/ retailer in London..... as was his son. I know that George Edward was on playbills in London and was renowned for his hornpipe!... I know his acting career was short-lived and his reviews were appalling!
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to respond.
Val
thank you for your comments.... with regard to George Edward turner's occupation, I am going by his occupation as described on the christening entries of his children.... he went between London and Bath and was variously described as "a dancer", "a dancing master", "a musician", "an actor" and then laterly he was a musical instrument maker/ retailer in London..... as was his son. I know that George Edward was on playbills in London and was renowned for his hornpipe!... I know his acting career was short-lived and his reviews were appalling!
ReplyDeleteThanks for taking the time to respond.
Val
Ian,
ReplyDeleteI am researching Thomas Tomlins who was organist of Shrewsbury Abbey from 1806 to 1820. He composed a piano medley rondo 'Hawkstone House' which was printed by Bland and Weller. Do you by any remote chance have their catalogue. I wish to know the date of the above composition and to find out if Tomlins wrote anything else. I hope the hear the above piece played in the Abbey in the next few weeks.
Mike Shaw
No I afraid not
DeleteInterested in seeing your blog, been trying to research ancestor for very long time, Julius Derecourt who was French language teacher in Bath and Bristol around 1760 to 1790, he was guardian of Lous de neuville, son of John de neuville, dancing master in Bath at that time. Have you any information about them by any chance? My email is ddanddm@gmail.com if you do have any info.
ReplyDelete