John Camidge (1790 - 1859)

Born 11 Aug 1790 in York, Yorkshire, England

Ancestors

Husband of Elizabeth Dickinson — married 12 Aug 1817 in Westminster, Middlesex, England, United Kingdom

Died 1859 at about age 68 in York, Yorkshire, England

Biography

John Camidge, born 11 Aug 1790, was christened 14 Sep 1790 in Saint Mary Castlegate, York, England. He was the son of Matthew Camidge, organist of York Minster Mary Shaw.^[1]

John was born into a family of musicians, his father and grandfather being organists at York Minster. His father taught him music in his early years. From the age of seven, John performed in public concerts, in York and elsewhere, both as organist, pianist, and violinist. From his youth he played on the organ at York Minster.

Afterwards his father placed him under the tuition of Dr Hague, professor of music at the University of Cambridge and also under that of Polish violinist and composer Feliks Janiewicz for violin playing. In 1812 he graduated at Cambridge as Mus. Bac. He followed this in 1819 with that of Mus.D.

John married Elizabeth Dickinson daughter of Charles Dickinson of Farley Hall, Berkshire on 12 August 1817, at St George's Hanover Square, Westminster. The register entry showed John to be from the parish of St Michael le Belfry, York. Marriage witnesses were Chas Dickinson and Ann Simms (junior) ^[2]

The following marriage announcement appeared in the Windsor and Eton Express dated 10 August 1817 ^[3]

Lately, at St George's Hanover Square, John Camidge Esq, of York, to Elizabeth, daughter of Charles Dickinson Esq., of Farley Hill, Reading, Berks.

They one daughter, Elizabeth, and three sons, Charles, John, and Thomas.

The offer of the post of organist was made by the Dean and Chapter of Durham and accepted, but at the solicitation of the Dean of York he returned to the York Minster as assistant to his father. He also took duty as organist at All Saints Church, Pavement.

About 1825 he published a volume of cathedral music of his composition, and he also adapted much classical music for use in the Anglican service. Many of his composition were in his collection Cathedral Music (1828). His anthems include “Holy, Holy, Holy” and “I will cry unto God”.

After the fire in the cathedral in 1829, he devoted much attention to the building of the new organ, which for many years was one of the finest in the world, and at that time the largest in England

On his father's retirement he was appointed organist of the cathedral, a post he held until his death.

On 28 Nov. 1848 following a stroke he became paralysed while playing the evening service, and never afterwards was never able to play the organ again.

He died at Gray's Court, Chapter House Street, York, 29 Sept. 1859.^[4][5]

Census

1841 - Manor Yard, St Olave Marygate. York, Yorkshire^[6]

John Camidge 50 1791 Yes Dr In Music

Elizabeth Camidge 45 1796 No

Elizabeth Camidge 20 1821 Yes

John Camidge 14 1827 Yes

Tlhomas Camidge 13 1828 Yes

1851 - Minster Yard, York, Yorkshire^[7]

John Camidge 60 1791 Head York, Yorkshire Professor of Music & Organist

Elizabeth Camidge 55 1796 Wife Berkshire

Elizabeth Camidge 32 1819 Daur York, Yorkshire

Thomas Simpson Camidge 23 1828 Son York, Yorkshire Organist

William Henry Cobb 17 1834 Visitor York, Yorkshire Articled Clerk To Solicitor

Mary Mason 19 1832 Servant York, Yorkshire House Servant

Emma Buckle 16 1835 Servant York, Yorkshire House Servant

Sources

1. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J9SY-P3Y : 11 February 2018, John Camidge, 11 Aug 1790); citing , index based upon data collected by the Genealogical Society of Utah, Salt Lake City; FHL microfilm 0962988 IT 3.
2. ↑ Ancestry London, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1932 [1]
3. ↑ Findmypast newspaper archives [2]
4. ↑ General Register Office Online Index CAMIDGE, JOHN 69 GRO Reference: 1859 S Quarter in YORK Volume 09D Page 11
5. ↑ "England and Wales Death Registration Index 1837-2007," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:2NN4-SSM : 31 December 2014), John Camidge, 1859; from "England & Wales Deaths, 1837-2006," database, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : 2012); citing Death, York, Yorkshire, England, General Register Office, Southport, England.
6. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1841," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MQ5Q-QCG : 13 December 2017), John Camidge, St Olave, Yorkshire,Yorkshire North Riding, England; from "1841 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives, Kew, Surrey.
7. ↑ "England and Wales Census, 1851," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/SGCZ-RWH : 2 November 2017), John Camidge, Minster Yard With Beden, Yorkshire,Yorkshire (East Riding), England; citing Minster Yard With Beden, Yorkshire,Yorkshire (East Riding), England, p. 11, from "1851 England, Scotland and Wales census," database and images, findmypast (http://www.findmypast.com : n.d.); citing PRO HO 107, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey.

See Also

• University of York. Department of Music. Composers. Entry for John Camidge
• wikisource
• Cathedral Organists Past and Present by John Ebenezer West. Novello 1921. p.122
• Dictionary of Composers for the Church in Great Britain and Ireland. Editors Robert Evans, Maggie Humphreys. Bloomsbury Publishing, 1997. p.56
• The Musical Times and Singing Class Circular, Volume 44. Novello, 1903. p.301.