TWO IMPORTANT MONUMENTS CONSERVED
27th July 2023
Two of St Mary’s important monuments are now back in place following vital conservation work.
The conservation of the monument to John Hall (d.1812) and his parents Elizabeth and Samuel was most kindly supported by grants from the Churches Conservation Trust, The Leche Trust and The Georgian Group’s Cleary Fund.
The Halls were Hull merchants and ship owners and Samuel and John were freemen/burgesses of the city. Records from 1809 show that John owned 16 vessels, which are thought to have been used for trading in timber with Scandinavia.
Two of St Mary’s important monuments are now back in place following vital conservation work.
The conservation of the monument to John Hall (d.1812) and his parents Elizabeth and Samuel was most kindly supported by grants from the Churches Conservation Trust, The Leche Trust and The Georgian Group’s Cleary Fund.
The Halls were Hull merchants and ship owners and Samuel and John were freemen/burgesses of the city. Records from 1809 show that John owned 16 vessels, which are thought to have been used for trading in timber with Scandinavia.
The monument to Joseph Pease (d. 1778) and family has also been conserved with kind grant support from the Churches Conservation Trust, Churchcare/The Pilgrim Trust, The Georgian Group’s Cleary Fund and the Georgian Society for East Yorkshire.
Joseph Pease founded Hull’s and Yorkshire’s very first bank and there is a blue plaque to the Pease Bank on High Street. We have a talk by local historian Michael Free about Joseph Pease on Tuesday, 10th October at 6pm. For details visit our Friends page.
We should also like to thank specialist monument conservators Skillingtons of Grantham for their fine work.
Now, both monuments can be seen inside St Mary’s on the south wall.
The church is open to visitors from 11am – 2pm on Fridays and Saturdays (12noon to 3pm on Fridays and Saturdays from 1st August).
Joseph Pease founded Hull’s and Yorkshire’s very first bank and there is a blue plaque to the Pease Bank on High Street. We have a talk by local historian Michael Free about Joseph Pease on Tuesday, 10th October at 6pm. For details visit our Friends page.
We should also like to thank specialist monument conservators Skillingtons of Grantham for their fine work.
Now, both monuments can be seen inside St Mary’s on the south wall.
The church is open to visitors from 11am – 2pm on Fridays and Saturdays (12noon to 3pm on Fridays and Saturdays from 1st August).
historical significance
Dating back to 1525 the monuments of St Mary’s represent major figures and families in the history of the city of Hull. Our collection of monuments certainly has local significance but several have some national significance too.
St Mary’s Tudor Harrison Brass commemorates John Harrison, a notable benefactor of the church and a ‘scherman’ or woollen draper, who died in 1525. The plate shows Harrison and his three sons in Tudor dress kneeling opposite his two wives.
A post Civil War period memorial to William Dobson is dated 1666. Dobson was a Royalist. The monument depicts him wearing his ‘Citizen’s Gown’ and the mayoral chain. He was a generous benefactor to St Mary’s and twice mayor and one time sheriff of Hull.
A number of St Mary’s monuments commemorate individuals and families linked to the city’s seafaring past. Hull is embarking on a major project to explore and highlight its maritime heritage through an initiative called ‘Hull – Yorkshire’s Maritime City’. Dr Martin Wilcox, Lecturer in History at the University of Hull and Reviews Editor of the International Journal of Maritime History, has taken a kind interest in St Mary’s monuments. He has visited to view the monuments and provided an initial report identifying those that link to Hull’s maritime past.
A monument to John Thornton is dated 1786. The Thorntons were sugar manufacturers (Thornton’s toffee). Sarah Thornton married William Wilberforce Senior. Part of the Thornton family moved to London and became bankers, MPs and members of the Clapham Sect, working with Wilberforce for the ending of slavery.
St Mary’s Tudor Harrison Brass commemorates John Harrison, a notable benefactor of the church and a ‘scherman’ or woollen draper, who died in 1525. The plate shows Harrison and his three sons in Tudor dress kneeling opposite his two wives.
A post Civil War period memorial to William Dobson is dated 1666. Dobson was a Royalist. The monument depicts him wearing his ‘Citizen’s Gown’ and the mayoral chain. He was a generous benefactor to St Mary’s and twice mayor and one time sheriff of Hull.
A number of St Mary’s monuments commemorate individuals and families linked to the city’s seafaring past. Hull is embarking on a major project to explore and highlight its maritime heritage through an initiative called ‘Hull – Yorkshire’s Maritime City’. Dr Martin Wilcox, Lecturer in History at the University of Hull and Reviews Editor of the International Journal of Maritime History, has taken a kind interest in St Mary’s monuments. He has visited to view the monuments and provided an initial report identifying those that link to Hull’s maritime past.
A monument to John Thornton is dated 1786. The Thorntons were sugar manufacturers (Thornton’s toffee). Sarah Thornton married William Wilberforce Senior. Part of the Thornton family moved to London and became bankers, MPs and members of the Clapham Sect, working with Wilberforce for the ending of slavery.
architectural significance
St Mary’s monuments undoubtedly add to the architectural appeal and value of the interior.
The Pevsner Architectural Guide for Hull (David and Susan Neave, Yale University Press, 2010), devotes over a page to describing St Mary’s monuments, including mention of the War Memorial in the Chapel of the Nativity, 1921, designed by Temple Moore & Moore.
The Pevsner Architectural Guide for Hull (David and Susan Neave, Yale University Press, 2010), devotes over a page to describing St Mary’s monuments, including mention of the War Memorial in the Chapel of the Nativity, 1921, designed by Temple Moore & Moore.
conservation need and urgency
October 2021
St Mary’s inspecting architect David Sherriff AABC of Simmonsherriff recommended we commission an ICON accredited conservator’s survey of St Mary’s monuments, of which there are over 30, not including floor ledgers slabs, in advance of the commencement of the scheme of improvements works to install toilets, heating, a modest kitchen and replace unsafe electrics and areas of uneven floor (work began in 2021), so that we could understand the scope of any conservation work needed to care for the monuments.
Skillingtons undertook the survey in July 2020 and, following additional archive research, provided their Survey Report with conservation recommendations in December 2020.
Skillingtons’ 2020 survey and report describing the conservation needs of six monuments. In summary the report lists the work required as follows:
High priority – works judged to be needed within next 3-5 years
Monument to John Hall (d.1812) £8,657 plus VAT
Monument to Joseph Pease & others (c.1840) £7,510 plus VAT
Monument to Amelia and George Tayler (c.1890) £1,600 plus VAT
£17,767 plus VAT
Medium priority – works judged to be need within next 10 years
Monument to William Dobson (d.1666) £15,919 plus VAT
Monument to John Bannister (d.1840) £8,240 plus VAT
£24,159 plus VAT
Non-urgent – typically presentation improvements
Monument to Reverend John Barker (d.1816) £8,657 plus VAT
£8,657 plus VAT
Conservation urgency
The scheme of interior works started at St Mary’s in May 2021 and is expected to be complete in Spring 2022.
Our architect advises that we take advantage of the benefits of carrying out monument works when the main contract is on site (scaffolding access easier, plastering works can be coordinated) and before a new stone floor is installed.
St Mary’s inspecting architect David Sherriff AABC of Simmonsherriff recommended we commission an ICON accredited conservator’s survey of St Mary’s monuments, of which there are over 30, not including floor ledgers slabs, in advance of the commencement of the scheme of improvements works to install toilets, heating, a modest kitchen and replace unsafe electrics and areas of uneven floor (work began in 2021), so that we could understand the scope of any conservation work needed to care for the monuments.
Skillingtons undertook the survey in July 2020 and, following additional archive research, provided their Survey Report with conservation recommendations in December 2020.
Skillingtons’ 2020 survey and report describing the conservation needs of six monuments. In summary the report lists the work required as follows:
High priority – works judged to be needed within next 3-5 years
Monument to John Hall (d.1812) £8,657 plus VAT
Monument to Joseph Pease & others (c.1840) £7,510 plus VAT
Monument to Amelia and George Tayler (c.1890) £1,600 plus VAT
£17,767 plus VAT
Medium priority – works judged to be need within next 10 years
Monument to William Dobson (d.1666) £15,919 plus VAT
Monument to John Bannister (d.1840) £8,240 plus VAT
£24,159 plus VAT
Non-urgent – typically presentation improvements
Monument to Reverend John Barker (d.1816) £8,657 plus VAT
£8,657 plus VAT
Conservation urgency
The scheme of interior works started at St Mary’s in May 2021 and is expected to be complete in Spring 2022.
Our architect advises that we take advantage of the benefits of carrying out monument works when the main contract is on site (scaffolding access easier, plastering works can be coordinated) and before a new stone floor is installed.
APPEAL FOR SUPPORT
October 2021
Financially, for the moment we can only plan for the ‘High Priority’ work and, even then, we do need support to fund the £17,767 required.
As the Pease Bank was acquired by Barclays Bank we approached Barclays with a request for funding towards the conservation works, but our request was declined.
We have not been able to trace members of the Pease, Hall and Tayler families locally, but would hope that if they become aware of the need to conserve their family monuments they may support this work.
We are very thankful indeed for grant support we have received so far from The Georgian Group (£2,500 from the Cleary Fund) towards the two monuments which fall within their period of interest (Pease and Hall), Churchcare/The Pilgrim Trust (£2,000), The Leche Trust (£1,000) and the Churches Conservation Trust (£1,000).
However, that leaves £11,267 to be found for this high priority conservation work, so please do contact us if you have a family interest in these monuments or would simply like to help. You can email us at [email protected] or call our project officer Amanda Habergham on 01482 861614.
Financially, for the moment we can only plan for the ‘High Priority’ work and, even then, we do need support to fund the £17,767 required.
As the Pease Bank was acquired by Barclays Bank we approached Barclays with a request for funding towards the conservation works, but our request was declined.
We have not been able to trace members of the Pease, Hall and Tayler families locally, but would hope that if they become aware of the need to conserve their family monuments they may support this work.
We are very thankful indeed for grant support we have received so far from The Georgian Group (£2,500 from the Cleary Fund) towards the two monuments which fall within their period of interest (Pease and Hall), Churchcare/The Pilgrim Trust (£2,000), The Leche Trust (£1,000) and the Churches Conservation Trust (£1,000).
However, that leaves £11,267 to be found for this high priority conservation work, so please do contact us if you have a family interest in these monuments or would simply like to help. You can email us at [email protected] or call our project officer Amanda Habergham on 01482 861614.
Here follows a description of a number of St Mary’s’ monuments, but this list is a work in progress and we hope to add more detail in due course
John Bannister (d.1840)
Collector of dues for the Hull Dock Company, who died in 1840. He was the father of Anthony Bannister (1817-78), who became manager of the Humber Union Steam Shipping Company. Subsequently he moved into local politics, becoming a councillor in 1845 and then Sheriff of Hull 1849-50, and then Lord Mayor in 1851. In 1855 he was Lord Mayor a second time. Subsequently he was instrumental in founding the Hull and Withernsea Railway.
Collector of dues for the Hull Dock Company, who died in 1840. He was the father of Anthony Bannister (1817-78), who became manager of the Humber Union Steam Shipping Company. Subsequently he moved into local politics, becoming a councillor in 1845 and then Sheriff of Hull 1849-50, and then Lord Mayor in 1851. In 1855 he was Lord Mayor a second time. Subsequently he was instrumental in founding the Hull and Withernsea Railway.
Reverend John Barker (d.1816)
Minister of the parish for 35 years. If he was still serving at his death that would have meant he started as a minister at St Mary’s in about 1781.
Beilby Family
The Beilby family were prominent merchants in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth century, and several of them served as town Mayors, Chamberlains and/or Sheriffs. Some of the family are buried in the Minster. The family remained in trade until late in the eighteenth century, although by this time they were no longer among the leading merchant houses.
Minister of the parish for 35 years. If he was still serving at his death that would have meant he started as a minister at St Mary’s in about 1781.
Beilby Family
The Beilby family were prominent merchants in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth century, and several of them served as town Mayors, Chamberlains and/or Sheriffs. Some of the family are buried in the Minster. The family remained in trade until late in the eighteenth century, although by this time they were no longer among the leading merchant houses.
Benjamin Blaydes
The Blaydes family, of which there were two or three branches active at any one time, were among the leading merchant dynasties in eighteenth-century Hull. They were also shipbuilders, and at various times in the eighteenth century operated three shipyards in and around Hull, including the North End Shipyard which is currently under renovation. In one of these yards was constructed the Bethia, which went on to become HMS Bounty. They were also shipbuilders for the Royal Navy, and in 1774 launched the 28-gun frigate HMS Boreas, which from 1784 to 1787 was commanded by an ambitious young captain named Horatio Nelson.
Mr Blaydes, who died in 1771, is interred, along with several of the family, in the former St Mary’s’ Trippett Street Burial Ground.
With possible connections to HMS Bounty this modest tablet is arguably of national significance.
The Blaydes family, of which there were two or three branches active at any one time, were among the leading merchant dynasties in eighteenth-century Hull. They were also shipbuilders, and at various times in the eighteenth century operated three shipyards in and around Hull, including the North End Shipyard which is currently under renovation. In one of these yards was constructed the Bethia, which went on to become HMS Bounty. They were also shipbuilders for the Royal Navy, and in 1774 launched the 28-gun frigate HMS Boreas, which from 1784 to 1787 was commanded by an ambitious young captain named Horatio Nelson.
Mr Blaydes, who died in 1771, is interred, along with several of the family, in the former St Mary’s’ Trippett Street Burial Ground.
With possible connections to HMS Bounty this modest tablet is arguably of national significance.
William Dobson (d.1666)
Merchant adventurer and twice Mayor, who died in 1666. Dobson served as Sheriff in 1615 and Mayor in 1647 and 1658. He married Sybil Sykes from Leeds, with whom he had two daughters, Anne and Ester. There was also a son, also William, who died in 1655. Anne became Lady Anne Middleton of York, and Esther married Christopher Hildyard in 1667.
Merchant adventurer and twice Mayor, who died in 1666. Dobson served as Sheriff in 1615 and Mayor in 1647 and 1658. He married Sybil Sykes from Leeds, with whom he had two daughters, Anne and Ester. There was also a son, also William, who died in 1655. Anne became Lady Anne Middleton of York, and Esther married Christopher Hildyard in 1667.
Hall (John d. 1812, Samuel d. 1821 and Elizabeth d. 1816)
Samuel Hall was churchwarden to St Mary’s in 1786 and his funeral in 1821 was conducted by the Revd John Scott at St Mary’s. The monument commemorates Samuel, his wife Elizabeth and their son John.
The Halls were merchants and ship owners of Hull. Both Samuel and John were Freemen/burgesses of the city. Ships records dated 1809 show John as owning 16 vessels, including the ‘Manchester’, the ‘Cognac Packet’, the ‘Pilgrim’ and the ‘Brazilian’. Both he and Samuel appear on quite a number of apprenticeship records. Initial research by Hull History Centre suggests they were involved in the timber trade, a key business for the port of Hull in the 19th Century – this ties in with evidence that John had spent some time, perhaps even living for a period, in Gothenburg.
Records also show that they were involved in establishing the Groves area of Hull along the banks of the River Hull, generating housing and industry. Samuel and John were both also on the board of the ‘Drypool Engineering and Dry Dock Company’ and were on the committee of ‘Hull Female Penitentiary’, a charity for ‘fallen women’.
Samuel Hall was churchwarden to St Mary’s in 1786 and his funeral in 1821 was conducted by the Revd John Scott at St Mary’s. The monument commemorates Samuel, his wife Elizabeth and their son John.
The Halls were merchants and ship owners of Hull. Both Samuel and John were Freemen/burgesses of the city. Ships records dated 1809 show John as owning 16 vessels, including the ‘Manchester’, the ‘Cognac Packet’, the ‘Pilgrim’ and the ‘Brazilian’. Both he and Samuel appear on quite a number of apprenticeship records. Initial research by Hull History Centre suggests they were involved in the timber trade, a key business for the port of Hull in the 19th Century – this ties in with evidence that John had spent some time, perhaps even living for a period, in Gothenburg.
Records also show that they were involved in establishing the Groves area of Hull along the banks of the River Hull, generating housing and industry. Samuel and John were both also on the board of the ‘Drypool Engineering and Dry Dock Company’ and were on the committee of ‘Hull Female Penitentiary’, a charity for ‘fallen women’.
Robert Hildyard (d.1683)
The ledger slab to Hildyard is set in the chancel floor aligned as per ecclesiastical convention with the ‘head’ end to the east. It is of a fine-grained black polished limestone most likely to be a Belgian black marble such as Tournai, but the possibility of it being Derbyshire black or Stanhope black cannot be dismissed.
The inscription reads:
HERE LIETH THE BODY OF Robert SECOND SON OF CAPTAIN Robert Hildyard OF PATRINGTON KNIGHT AND BARONET WHO DYED THE 29TH OF APRIL 1683 IN THE THITEENTH YEARE OF HIS AGE
The Hildyard Baronetcy, of Patrington in the County of York, was a title in the Baronetage of England. It was created on 25 June 1660 for Robert Hildyard, of Patrington and Winestead. The ancient Hildyard family is thought to have been of Norman origin. Robert Hildyard served as Gentleman of the Bedchamber to King Charles I of England and was a major-general in the King’s army during the English Civil War. He took part in the Battle of Marston Moor. He was raised to a baronetcy by Charles II following the Restoration of the Monarchy, and died in 1685. The Robert commemorated by the ledger slab therefore passed away two years before his father, and it is thus likely that the memorial was commissioned by his grieving parents.
John Jarratt
Married to Anne, daughter of Robert Thorley. The Thorleys were a prominent merchant family who had a branch house in Narva, in modern-day Estonia. Branch houses were common among merchant firms specialising in particular geographical areas, and were usually run by a member of the family. Sons were often sent to the branch house to gain experience to fit them to take over the main house. Robert Thorley was the largest individual shareholder in Hull Dock Company. Jarratt was probably related to the local business and property-owning family, after one of whom Jarratt Street is named.
The ledger slab to Hildyard is set in the chancel floor aligned as per ecclesiastical convention with the ‘head’ end to the east. It is of a fine-grained black polished limestone most likely to be a Belgian black marble such as Tournai, but the possibility of it being Derbyshire black or Stanhope black cannot be dismissed.
The inscription reads:
HERE LIETH THE BODY OF Robert SECOND SON OF CAPTAIN Robert Hildyard OF PATRINGTON KNIGHT AND BARONET WHO DYED THE 29TH OF APRIL 1683 IN THE THITEENTH YEARE OF HIS AGE
The Hildyard Baronetcy, of Patrington in the County of York, was a title in the Baronetage of England. It was created on 25 June 1660 for Robert Hildyard, of Patrington and Winestead. The ancient Hildyard family is thought to have been of Norman origin. Robert Hildyard served as Gentleman of the Bedchamber to King Charles I of England and was a major-general in the King’s army during the English Civil War. He took part in the Battle of Marston Moor. He was raised to a baronetcy by Charles II following the Restoration of the Monarchy, and died in 1685. The Robert commemorated by the ledger slab therefore passed away two years before his father, and it is thus likely that the memorial was commissioned by his grieving parents.
John Jarratt
Married to Anne, daughter of Robert Thorley. The Thorleys were a prominent merchant family who had a branch house in Narva, in modern-day Estonia. Branch houses were common among merchant firms specialising in particular geographical areas, and were usually run by a member of the family. Sons were often sent to the branch house to gain experience to fit them to take over the main house. Robert Thorley was the largest individual shareholder in Hull Dock Company. Jarratt was probably related to the local business and property-owning family, after one of whom Jarratt Street is named.
Joseph Pease & Others (c.1840)
Joseph Pease (d.1778) founded a banking dynasty in Hull that was to last for several generations, although the family were also merchants with many other interests.
The Pease Bank, established in 1754, was both Hull’s and Yorkshire’s very first bank. There is a blue plaque close to St Mary’s on Hull’s High Street highlighting that:
https://openplaques.org/plaques/7807
Michael Free of Hessle Local History Society has researched and written a history of the Pease family, which lends weight to the significance of the monument and the interest behind it.
The Pease monument is of great significance within the context of Kingston-upon-Hull due to the role the family played in its Georgian and Regency growth.
The Pease Bank was later acquired by Barclays.
Thomas Swan
Merchant adventurer, died in 1629.
Joseph Pease (d.1778) founded a banking dynasty in Hull that was to last for several generations, although the family were also merchants with many other interests.
The Pease Bank, established in 1754, was both Hull’s and Yorkshire’s very first bank. There is a blue plaque close to St Mary’s on Hull’s High Street highlighting that:
https://openplaques.org/plaques/7807
Michael Free of Hessle Local History Society has researched and written a history of the Pease family, which lends weight to the significance of the monument and the interest behind it.
The Pease monument is of great significance within the context of Kingston-upon-Hull due to the role the family played in its Georgian and Regency growth.
The Pease Bank was later acquired by Barclays.
Thomas Swan
Merchant adventurer, died in 1629.
Amelia & George Tayler (c.1890)
Amelia Frances was the wife of Revd George Tayler and the daughter of Revd John Scott. There were three John Scotts who served as vicars at St Mary’s during the 19th Century, including during Gilbert Scott’s restoration of the church (Gilbert Scott was related to Hull’s John Scotts).
The John Scotts are of huge importance with respect to the church’s history, so the tablet to Amelia Frances has social significance due to that connection. The lower brass is also significant and, according to Skillingtons, there are scholars who study the nature of memorial to the clergy including their grandeur and their positioning, to reflect on their social status.
Amelia Frances was the wife of Revd George Tayler and the daughter of Revd John Scott. There were three John Scotts who served as vicars at St Mary’s during the 19th Century, including during Gilbert Scott’s restoration of the church (Gilbert Scott was related to Hull’s John Scotts).
The John Scotts are of huge importance with respect to the church’s history, so the tablet to Amelia Frances has social significance due to that connection. The lower brass is also significant and, according to Skillingtons, there are scholars who study the nature of memorial to the clergy including their grandeur and their positioning, to reflect on their social status.
Francis Smith Thompson (d.1844)
The epitaph says that Francis was an ‘ironmonger of this parish’.
John Thornton and Samuel Standidge
The Thornton family were leading merchants in Hull from the sixteenth century, and their family tree includes Aldermen, Magistrates and other civic dignitaries. They were related to the Wilberforce family by marriage. Like many merchant families they diversified into industry, in this case sugar refining. One branch of the family moved to London, where they continued in trade and also became bankers and political figures.
A John Thornton, merchant, married Mary Standidge, daughter of Samuel, although this may not be the same Thornton as commemorated on this plaque. According to Jackson (1972) there is some confusion over the Standidge family tree.
Standidge was born in 1725 at Bridlington, went to sea at an early age and was a captain by 1752. Subsequently he set up as a shipbuilder and shipowner, and pioneered the Greenland whaling trade in 1766. In 1785, he was operating four vessels in the business. He died in 1801. Despite Sheahan’s portrayal of him as a self-made man he must have had substantial financial backing.
The epitaph says that Francis was an ‘ironmonger of this parish’.
John Thornton and Samuel Standidge
The Thornton family were leading merchants in Hull from the sixteenth century, and their family tree includes Aldermen, Magistrates and other civic dignitaries. They were related to the Wilberforce family by marriage. Like many merchant families they diversified into industry, in this case sugar refining. One branch of the family moved to London, where they continued in trade and also became bankers and political figures.
A John Thornton, merchant, married Mary Standidge, daughter of Samuel, although this may not be the same Thornton as commemorated on this plaque. According to Jackson (1972) there is some confusion over the Standidge family tree.
Standidge was born in 1725 at Bridlington, went to sea at an early age and was a captain by 1752. Subsequently he set up as a shipbuilder and shipowner, and pioneered the Greenland whaling trade in 1766. In 1785, he was operating four vessels in the business. He died in 1801. Despite Sheahan’s portrayal of him as a self-made man he must have had substantial financial backing.
Thomas Wilson
Window in south end of West Wall. Born in 1792. Began to invest in shipping from 1822 in partnership with other local businessmen, and took full charge of the firm from 1841. In 1850 the firm was reconstituted as Thomas Wilson Sons & Co, reflecting the involvement of his sons Charles (later Lord Nunburnholme) and Arthur. Thomas died in 1869. Under his sons’ leadership TWSC became the largest privately owned shipping firm in the world, owning more than 100 vessels by 1914 and operating steamer routes from Hull to every inhabited continent. The firm subsequently suffered heavy war losses, and arguably also from the lack of interest or ability on the part of the third generation of the family. Taking advantage of high ship values in wartime, it was sold to Ellerman Lines in 1916.
Window in south end of West Wall. Born in 1792. Began to invest in shipping from 1822 in partnership with other local businessmen, and took full charge of the firm from 1841. In 1850 the firm was reconstituted as Thomas Wilson Sons & Co, reflecting the involvement of his sons Charles (later Lord Nunburnholme) and Arthur. Thomas died in 1869. Under his sons’ leadership TWSC became the largest privately owned shipping firm in the world, owning more than 100 vessels by 1914 and operating steamer routes from Hull to every inhabited continent. The firm subsequently suffered heavy war losses, and arguably also from the lack of interest or ability on the part of the third generation of the family. Taking advantage of high ship values in wartime, it was sold to Ellerman Lines in 1916.
