Robert Bird (1839 - 1909)

Born 13 Feb 1839 in Soundwell, Nr Bristol

Ancestors

Husband of Emma Butler — married 26 Dec 1861 in Independent Chapel, Gloucestershire

Descendants

Died 3 Jan 1909 at age 69 in Cardiff, Glamorgan, Wales, United Kingdom

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Paul Jones [send private message]

Biography

Robert was born in 1839. He passed away in 1909.

In 1871, Robert Bird established Robert Bird & Son Tar Distillers in Cardiff, which grew to be the second largest of it's kind in the West Country.

Mayor of Cardiff 1883-1884 In the commission of the peace 1885

Robert was a liberal philantropist and pacifist. He got caught up in Elizabeth Fry's prison reforms and wanted to serve a term in gaol to see what it was like. So he threw a brick through a shop window and was arrested. His friends, however, were appalled and decided to thwart the scheme by paying his fine for him.

Written by Emma Grace Hart nee Bird 1933:

(probably page missing because starts half-way through sentence.)

"... father's house in Bristol when Charlie was a boy. He went from the Parting at Gloster to Two Mile Hill, Kingswood, corner of Tin Factory Lane. Afterwards, to Arden Villa. Father was born at the little grocer's shop in Leicester Square, Poundwell Road.

Arden Villa. Hanbury Road quarter of a mile nearer William, St Georges Road. In St. Georges, the road forks take right to Hanham, from there 300 yards, on left to Arden Villa. 400 yards further on is Summerhill House, house of grandfather Butler and later of uncle Wm. Butler.

Charlie went from 2 to 8 years in Bristol, 2 at Two Mile Hill and 4 at Arden Villa, then at Belmont Villa, Newport Road, Cardiff where I was born. Grandfather Butler lived at a small house at White's Hill before Summerhill House.

Signed E.G. Hart, 1933"

A tribute to Robert Bird by W. Edwards of Cardiff

<< Mr. Robert: Bird: A Tribute.

When we remember that poignant face That like the smile of day filled us with joy, And when in Fancy's dream we hear the voice That in its wondrous sweetness charmed the ear, Grief fills the heart and sorrow dims the eye. 'Tis hard and difficult to realise That that familiar form is lost to sight, And that persuasive voice is hushed in death. Yet it is so and fondest Memory weeps, For of we shall see that love-lit face no more.

Yet purest joy with deepest sadness blends As we reflect upon that noble life Which, from its morn until its peaceful close, Was one consistent chain of virtuous deeds, Born of a spirit gentle good, and brave. How true that life! 'twas like the limpid stream That gathered volume as it onward flowed, And still remained as pure as at its source, Whilst it refreshed and beautified the land, And caught high Heaven's reflection on its breast.

His seventy years ! how active and how fit full ! He ever moved upon the highest plane Of purest motive and ideal high. His is soul loved Freedom : for it he would die ; Soul-liberty became to him his polar star TI tat ever guided him in on every sea. For equal rights for man as man he pled ; His large philanthropy embraced the world, And thus he followed in his Master’s steps, And so detested war as man’s worst foe- The offspring of ambition, greed, and hate.

His “gentleness was great,” his tender heart O’erflowed with pity for the weak and poor, And e'er his open hand gave gifts that helped As words of kindly cheer fell from his lips. But while his spirit opened like a flower, And smiled benignant on the gladdening sun, His heart was like a mock against the false, And God-given courage nerved him for the fight With all oppression in its varied forms.

The mellowing years brought ripeness in their train, And made complete a life so rich and rare ; And suffering borne with patience made it still More beautiful for earth, more fit for Heaven, As trailing clouds that gather in the west Add wondrous glory to the setting sun, So was the slowly-gathering mist of death, Lit up by rays of love, and peace, and joy, That came from his unconquerable soul, And formed a halo round his dying bed ; And as time Sabbath Day drew to its close The Master, as of old, drew nigh and said, “Where I am there My servant too shall be,’’ And he was not, ‘‘ for God had taken him.’’

W. EDWARDS. Cardiff. >>

NEW PRIMITIVE CHAPEL - LLANDAFF YARD

Western Mail 1877

Owing to the energy and perseverance of some of the leading members of the connextion of the district, a comfortable new chapel has just been completed in Llandaff Yard, and was on Sunday opened with religious services, which were numerously attended. The Rev. P. Maddocks (Cardiff) preached in the morning; the Rev. David Evans B.A. (Whitchurch) in the afternoon; and the Rev. James Lee (Cardiff) in the evening. The chapel, which has been built for the congregation by Mr. Amos Brown, Cardiff, is still £100 in debt, and the collections at the different services were in aid of the building fund," Two of the three Circuit ministers were involved in the celebration services on Sunday 25th November 1877, and it was the third minister appointed in the Cardiff Circuit who was given pastoral charge of the new society. The Rev. James Watkins remained in pastoral charge at the Llandaff Yard society in its infant stages until the year 1880. During these early years, the society at Llandaff Yard was supported by a number of notable citizens of Cardiff. Among them were Alderman Joseph Ramsdale and Alderman Robert Bird, along with members of the Cory family who then lived in Cory House, to the North of Whitchurch in the area now known as Coryton, where the current manse is located. The history of the Llandaff North society is strongly connected with the establishment and development of the Sunday School, to which the chapel owes its existence. By the time Coplestone Road chapel was opened in 1877, there had been Sunday School work in Llandaff Yard for some 15 years. This had been organised by members of Rev. Philips Maddocks' Canton society in the office of the Melingriffith Tin Works.

The will of Robert Bird: Effects valued at £71,730 14s 7d (Worth about £4.5 million in 1998 values according to what goods money could buy. Property values have risen much faster than this)

I Robert Bird of "Ellerslie" Roath in the City of Cardiff Esquire Justice of the Peace hereby revoke all former Wills Codicils and testamentary instruments made by me and declare this to be my last Will. I appoint my sons Charles Hayward Bird and Frederick Graham Bird and William Robert Bird (hereinafter called "my Trustees") to be the Executors and Trustees of this my Will I bequeath to the said Charles Hayward Bird my portrait in Oils and the illuminated address presented to me by the Annual Assembly of the United Methodist Free Churches I bequeath to the said Frederick Graham Bird the old Clock formerly belonging to my mother I bequeath to the said William Robert Bird the Clock presented to me by the Methodist Free Churches at Cardiff I bequeath to my son Arthur George Bird my Gold Watch and Chain I bequeath to my daughter Emma Grace Hart the wife of Clement Gilbert Hart the crayon portrait of herself by Wm. Knighton Warren and I bequeath to my daughter Nellie Moxey the wife of Ernest Reginald Moxey the crayon portrait of herself by the same artist. I bequeath all my oil paintings and water colours to my Trustees In trust to permit my dear wife Emma Bird to have the use and enjoyment thereof during her widowhood she keeping the same properly insured against fire and in good repair and preservation but after her death or re-marriage In trust to divide such oil paintings and water colours among my children as nearly as may be in equal shares and with an absolute direction in my Trustees as to be made of effecting such division which shall not be questioned on the ground of any alleged inequality or otherwise And I direct that an Inventory of the said oil paintings and water colours shall be made in duplicate as soon as may be after my death by my Trustees at the expense of my Estate and that one copy thereof shall be signed by my Trustees and kept by my said Wife and one copy signed by my said Wife and retained by my Trustees Provided always and I declare that my Trustees shall not be concerned during the widowhood of my said Wife to see to insurance or preservation of the said oil paintings and water colours or any of them or be liable for any loss or damage that may happen thereto from any cause whatsoever I bequeath that all my jewels trinkets personal ornaments and wearing apparel and all my favorite plate plated goods linen glass china books manuscripts pictures prints stationary musical instruments articles of {-?-} and all other articles of personal domestic or household use or ornament (except such as hereinbefore bequeathed) wines liquors and consumable stores and provisions and all my horses carriages harness saddlery and stable furniture and all my plants and garden tools and implements unto my said Wife absolutely I bequeath to my Trustees my leasehold messuage with the out buildings and stabling belonging thereto situate and known as "Ellerslie" Roath Cardiff aforesaid with the appurtenances thereof In trust to permit my said Wife if she shall continue my Widow to have personal use occupation and enjoyment of the said messuage and premises so long as she shall think fit personally to dwell in the same my said Wife during such her use occupation and enjoyment thereof paying the ground rent rates taxes and outgoings for the time being payable in respect of the said messuage and premises and keeping the same properly insured against fire and in good repair and duly observing and performing all the Leases convenants and conditions contained in the Lease under which the said leasehold premises are holden And it is my desire that my Trustees shall see to the insurance of the said messuage but without being in any way responsible for any omission so to do or for any loss or damage happening thereto from any cause whatsoever And from and after the decease or second marriage of my said Wife of from the time of my said Wife ceasing to personally use occupy and enjoy the said leasehold messuage and premises I declare that my Trustees shall hold such leasehold premises In trust for the said Charles Hayward Bird absolutely I bequeath to my brother George Bird the sum of One thousand pounds but in case he shall die in my lifetime then I bequeath the same to his children or child who shall be living at my decease and shall attain the age of twenty one years or being daughters or a daughter shall marry if more than one in equal shares I bequeath to my brother Charles James Bird the sum of One thousand pounds but in case he shall die in my lifetime then I bequeath the same to his children or child who shall be living at my decease and shall attain the age of twenty one years or being daughters or a daughter shall marry if more than one in equal shares I bequeath to my sister Sarah Ann Saul the wife of the Reverend Thomas Booth Saul the sum of One thousand pounds I bequeath to the Reverend David Booth M.A. D.C.L. of Southport in the County of Lancaster the sum of One hundred pounds and I bequeath to the Reverend Edward Boaden of Leamington in the County of Warwick the sum of One hundred pounds the said bequests being made as a token of my affection for them And I declare that in case the said Edward Boaden shall die in my lifetime then I bequeath the said sum of One hundred pounds hereinbefore given to him to his daughter now residing with him and at present unmarried if she shall be living at my decease I bequeath to Miss Ada Waite of Hardwicke Hill Chepstow in the County of Monmouth the sum of Two hundred pounds as a token of my admiration of her devotion to her widowed mother and her kindness to sick people and as a mark of my esteem I bequeath to the Building Committee or Trustees as the case may be of the United Methodist Church (late United Methodist Free Church) Newport Road Cardiff aforesaid the sum of Five hundred pounds on condition that the debt on the trust property including the four shops in Four Elms Road adjoining the Church shall be reduced by the like sum namely Five hundred pounds within such time after my decease as my Trustees in their absolute discretion shall determine I bequeath to the trustees of the United Methodist Church (late United Methodist Free Church) Cathays Terrace Cardiff aforesaid on condition that the debt on the trust property be shall be reduced to not exceeding One hundred pounds within such time after my decease as my Trustees shall in their absolute discretion determine such sum not exceeding One hundred pounds as shall be sufficient to discharge such reduced debt I bequeath to the trustees of the Penarth Road United Methodist Church (late United Methodist Free Church) on condition that the debt on the trust property be shall be reduced to not exceeding One hundred pounds within such time after my decease as my Trustees shall in their absolute discretion determine such sum not exceeding One hundred pounds as shall be sufficient to discharge such reduced debt And I declare that the receipt of the Treasurer or other proper officer for the time being of the same respective trusts shall be a sufficient discharge for the same prospective legacies I bequeath to the Cardiff Infirmary the sum of One hundred pounds to be applicable for the general purposes of such Institution And I declare that the receipt of the Treasurer or other or other proper officer for the time being of such Institution shall be sufficient discharge for the same And I declare that it is not my intention to make any bequest by this my Will to the religious Denomination known as the United Methodist Church because I have given freely during my lifetime to the funds of the United Methodist Free Church (which has become merged in the United Methodist Church) and have given to the Thanksgiving Fund of the United Methodist Church the sum of One thousand guineas. I declare that all pecuniary legacies hereinbefore bequeathed shall be free from legacy duty which shall be paid out of my estate I give the sum of Twelve thousand pounds unto my Trustees Upon trust that they shall invest the same with power from time to time to vary the investments thereof and shall stand possessed of the said same sum of Twelve thousand pounds and the investments thereof In trust to pay the income thereof to my said Wife during her life if she shall so long remain my Widow And I declare that if my said Wife shall marry again then from and after her second marriage the income of the said sum of Twelve thousand pounds shall cease to be paid to my said Wife and the sum of Six thousand pounds (moiety of the said sum of Twelve thousand pounds) and the income of the said sum of Six thousand pounds from the date of such second marriage shall sink into and form part of my residuary estate And my Trustees shall from and after such second marriage stand possessed of the sum of Six thousand pounds (remainder of the said sum of Twelve thousand pounds) and the investments thereof In trust to pay the income of the said sum of Six thousand pounds to my said Wife during the rest of her life And I declare that after the death of my said Wife such sum as may then be held by my Trustees in trust to pay the income thereof to my said Wife under the provisions hereinbefore contained (whether such sum shall be the original sum of Twelve thousand pounds or the reduced sum of Six thousand pounds hereinbefore mentioned) together with the income thereof from the date of her death shall sink into and form part of my residuary estate - I empower my Trustees at any time in their discretion to appropriate any part of my residuary estate - in its then actual condition or state of investment in or towards satisfaction of the said sum of Twelve thousand pounds or Six thousand pounds as the case may be and for that purpose to determine the value of such residuary estate or any part or parts thereof in any manner they think fit but without prejudice to the powers of sale and investment and varying investments herein contained And I declare that such appropriation if and so far as the same may be made shall be a complete satisfaction of the trust hereinbefore contained to provide an income for my said wife I declare and bequeath all my real estate of every tenure and all my personal estate and effects whatsoever not hereby otherwise disposed of (including appointment or disposition by Will) unto my Trustees Upon trust that my Trustees shall sell call in and convert into money the same or such part thereof as shall consist not of money and shall out of the money produced by such sale calling in and conversion and out of my ready money pay my funeral and testamentary expenses and debts and legacies bequeathed free of duty and shall divide the residue of the said moneys among all my children in equal shares Provided always that if any child of mine shall die in my lifetime having a child or children living at my death who being a son or sons attain the age of Twenty one years or being a daughter or daughters attain that age or marry under that age then and in every such case the last mentioned child or children shall take (and if more than one equally between them) the share which his her or their parent would have taken in my residuary estate if such parent had lived to attain a vested interest I empower my Trustees at any time or times in their discretion to appropriate any part of my residuary estate in its then actual condition or state of investment in or towards satisfaction of any share in my residuary estate at such valuation or estimate of value as my Trustees shall think fit Provided always and I empower my Trustees in their uncontrolled discretion to postpone during such period as they think fit the sale or calling in and conversion of the whole or any part or parts of my estate (including leaseholds or other property of a terminable or wearing out nature) And I direct that the rents profits and income to accrue after my death from such part of my estate as shall for the time being remain unsold and unconverted shall after payment thereout of all incidental expenses and outgoings and howsoever invested be paid and applied to the person or persons and in the manner to whom and in which the income of the proceeds of such sale and conversion would for the time being be payable or applicable under my Will if such sale and conversion had been equally made. I empower my Trustees to manage repair insure demise for any term of years or tenancy and at any rent and deal and arrange with tenants of any real or leasehold hereditaments belonging to me until the same shall be sold with the same uncontrolled discretion as if my Trustees were absolute beneficial owner thereof. I declare that any moneys requiring or capable of investment under the trusts of my Will may be invested in the names of my Trustees in any public stock or funds or government securities of the United Kingdom or in any stock funds or securities for the time being authorised by law for trust funds or in or upon the stocks debentures mortgages or securities of any Corporation or public body in the United Kingdom expressly authorised by an act of Parliament to borrow money or in the stocks fully paid up shares debentures or securities of any Joint Stock Company for the time being incorporated or established in England and subject to English Law which shall have a half yearly dividend on its ordinary stock or share capital for the time being for not less than six consecutive half years prior to the time of such investment or in or upon the Stocks shares Debentures or securities of Bird and Son Limited in which I am largely interested or on mortgage or in the purchase of any freehold copyhold or leasehold houses or land in England or Wales the leasehold hereditaments being held for a term having sixty years to run at the time of the investment And that such investments may from time to time be varied by my Trustees at their discretion And that my Trustees may during the time any such investment is being sought for or is being negotiated or in preparation deposit any monies subject to the trusts of this my Will at any joint stock or other bank either at interest or otherwise as they may deem expedient without being answerable or accountable for any loss occasioned thereby I empower my Trustees notwithstanding anything hereinbefore contained at their discretion to continue all or any part of my personal estate in the state or upon the investments in or upon which the same be at the time of my death however doubtful or hazardous or limited the description or nature of the property or investments may be or otherwise to call in and compel payment or sell and dispose of the same and to lay out and invest the moneys to be thereby raised and all other moneys from time to time to be received by them under the trusts or powers herein declared and contained in their names in some investment or investments hereinbefore authorised which investment or investments so to be made by my Trustees and the annual income thereof shall be held under and subject to the same trusts as the trust premises for which the same shall be substituted were or would have been liable to under this my Will And I declare that (in addition to the ordinary powers indemnities and right to reimbursement by law given to the Trustees) it shall not be obligatory on my Trustees to call in or realize any investment which or the security for which shall have become depreciated and no act or omission in any such respect shall be deemed a breach of trust I authorise my Trustees to pay out of my estate any call or calls upon any shares which I may at the time of my death hold in any Railway or other Company and to accept or refuse any new shares or stock in any such railway or other Company which may be allotted to them in respect of any shares or stock therein for the time being and to pay out of my estate any call or calls to become due I respect of any new shares or stock which may be accepted by them I declare that if any person shall without the consent in writing of my Executors which it shall be in their uncontrolled discretion to give or refuse dispute the validity of or shall refuse to confirm this my Will or any Codicil hence if required so to do by my Executors such person shall forfeit all benefits hereby or by any Codicil hence given to him or her and the same not being a residuary or a share of residue shall fall into my residuary estate or being residuary or a share of residue shall go to the other persons or person entitled to such residue as if the person incurring such forfeiture had not been included in the residuary gift. I hereby appoint my Trustees to be Trustees of this my Will for the purposes of the forty second Section of the Conveyancing and Law of Property Act 1881 and for the purposes of the Settled Land Acts 1882 to 1890 And I declare that a sole Trustee for the time being of this my Will shall be competent to act for all the purposes of the said Acts and this my Will including the receipt of capital money and of notices thereunder I declare that all the powers authorities and discretions hereby expressed to be vested in or given to my Trustees by that or any other description shall be vested in and exerciseable by the said Trustees hereby appointed and the survivors or survivor of them or other the Trustees or Trustee for the time being of this my Will and that a sole Trustee for the time being shall be competent to act for the purposes In witness whereof I the said Robert Bird have to each sheet of this my Will contained in this and the preceding six sheets of paper set my hand this thirteenth day of July One thousand nine hundred and eight

Signed by the before named Robert Bird as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us both being present at the same time who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses

Robt Bird Wm G. Howell Solr Cardiff D.H.Thomas Clerk to Mr G.Howell Solicitor Cardiff

On the 30th day of March 1909 Probate of this Will was granted at Llandaff to Charles Hayward Bird, Frederick Graham Bird and William Robert Bird the Executors

1901 census of 56 Newport Rd, Cardiff

Name Relation Status Age Gender Birthplace Occupation

Robert Bird Head M 62 M Mangotsfield, Glos Tar Distiller Sarah A Jones Visitor W 57 F Mangotsfield, Glos Mary Lloyd Servant S 36 F Caco, Carms Cook Domestic Emma E Ferris Servant S 30 F Swansea, Glam Parlour Maid Domestic Emma E Sayce Servant S 28 F Cardiff, Glam Housemaid Domestic (Emma Bird wintered in Menton, France)

1891 census (56 Newport Road, Cardiff):

Robert Bird Head M 52 Merchant Grease Tar & Coal Mangotsfield, Gloucs Emma Bird Wife M 46 St George, Gloucs Arthur G Bird Son S 18 Mechanical Engineer Cardiff, Glamorgan Emma G Bird Daur S 14 Cardiff, Glamorgan Nellie Bird Daur S 12 Cardiff, Glamorgan Mary Lloyd Serv S 28 Cook Glauyeroyth, Carmarthens Elizth Pemnant Serv S 27 Domestic Sherrington, Monmouths Matilda Rowell Serv S 24 Domestic Barrington, Somerset

http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/Census/household_record.asp?HOUSEHOLD_CODE=1881BR_5526157 1881 census of Ellerslie House, Roath, Glamorgan:

Name Relation Status Gender Age Birthplace Occupation

Robert BIRD Head M Male 42 Mangotsfield, Gloucester Tar & Resin Distiller Emma BIRD Wife M Female 35 St George, Gloucester Charles H. BIRD Son U Male 18 Sandhurst, Gloucester Arthur G. BIRD Son U Male 8 Cardiff, Glamorgan Scholar Emma G. BIRD Daur Female 4 Cardiff, Glamorgan Scholar Nellie BIRD Daur Female 2 Cardiff, Glamorgan Sarah A. CARTER Servant W Female 38 Chewstoke, Somerset Domestic Servant Elizabeth YORATH Servant U Female 32 Llanvair, Monmouth Domestic Servant Beatrice M. TAYLOR Servant U Female 15 Bristol Bedminster Domestic Servant John F. BARNARD Visitor U Male 39 Wick St Stephens Minister United Methodist Free Church

1871 of Summerhill, St George, Gloucestershire

Robert Bird Head 32 Soundwell, Gloucs Clerk Emma Bird Wife 25 Crews Hole, Gloucs Hayward Bird Son 8 St George, Gloucs Scholar Frederick G Bird Son 6 St George, Gloucs Scholar William R Bird Son 2 St George, Gloucs Ann Wilmott Servant 22 Warmley, Gloucs

He has a wikipedia page at: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Bird_(Welsh_politician):

Robert Bird, mayor of Cardiff (1883–1884).

Robert Bird (13 February 1839 – 3 January 1909) was a Liberal politician and owner of a Tar Distillery, Robert Bird & Sons,[1] in East Moors, Cardiff, Wales. Biography

Bird was born in Soundwell, near Bristol, but moved to Cardiff in 1872. He was a Welsh Liberal politician. He served as mayor of Cardiff in 1882.[2] Appointed an Alderman[3] he later served as President of the Cardiff Liberal Association. A loyal Liberal, he opposed the revolt of David Lloyd George, Frank Edwards, Herbert Lewis and David Alfred Thomas over Welsh Disestablishment in 1894.[4][5]

In 1896, Robert Bird achieved notoriety among Welsh nationalists. On 16 January, the proposal to merge the South Wales Liberal Federation with the Welsh National Federation was put to the Annual General Meeting of the South Wales Liberal Federation, held at Newport, Monmouthshire. Speaking against the motion, Robert Bird declared: “You will find, from Swansea to Newport, a cosmopolitan population who will not submit to the domination of Welsh ideas!” causing outrage among the supporters of Cymru Fydd.[citation needed]

Further political controversy engulfed Bird when he was chosen as Liberal candidate for Cardiff, due to his opposition to the Boer War. He was eventually dropped and Sir E. J. Reed, the former MP was chosen instead.[6]

Bird was described as: ‘a Nonconformist both by birth and conviction.’ A prominent member of the United Methodist Free Church and President of the Cardiff Free Church Council for 1901, Alderman Bird was a generous benefactor to the cause of Nonconformity.[7] Trinity Methodist Church at Newport Road, where he was a member, and where his wife laid the foundation stone of the halls attached, benefited greatly from the family of Robert Bird. He also built the Church on Penarth Road and leased it to the Free Methodists. Robert Bird was the first superintendent of Penarth Road's Sunday School (and owned the building). Alderman Bird served on the Committee which secured the National Museum of Wales for Cardiff.

Bird's ashes were buried in a family tomb in Cathays Cemetery,[8] Cardiff. References

"Robert Bird & Son, tar distillers". Discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk. Retrieved 28 November 2014. "Robert Bird, JP, Mayor of Cardiff (1883–1884)". Art UK. Retrieved 28 November 2014. "Cardiff Council Minutes 1883-5". British-history.ac.uk. Retrieved 28 November 2014. "Welsh Journals Online -". Welshjournals.llgc.org.uk. Retrieved 28 November 2014. "British Political Speech - Speech Archive". Britishpoliticalspeech.org. Retrieved 28 November 2014. "Welsh Journals Online -". Welshjournals.llgc.org.uk. Retrieved 28 November 2014. [1] walesonline Administrator. "Cardiff cemeteries are home to many stories". walesonline. Retrieved 28 November 2014.

^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ Unsourced family tree handed down to Paul Jones.