"MUTTONEYE" - Henry Lowther bc1886

[suey]

Henry (Harry) Lowther aka Muttoneye was born in Whitechapel c1886.

It is said that he made his living playing a portable harmonium
Later known to have lived in or around the Elephant and Castle.
He appears to have been well known around the East End, he's even named in this poem 'The Bermondsey Boys' by Terrence Dinan.

"Remember the pubs, 'The Hole in the Wall',
'The Stingo' and 'Feathers', 'The Moonies' and all?
And old 'Muttoneye' wedged in the door of a bar,
with harmonium he'd carried, goodness knows from how far!"

If anyone knows or has heard stories about Muttoneye I'd love to hear them! 

Suey

[jennifer c]

Hi, Are you looking for him in any census, or do you already have that?

What information have you got?


Jennifer

[suey]

Hi Jennifer - Thanks for taking an interest.  We have Henry Albert aka Harry aka Muttoneye in census and his first marriage.

It does seem from stories told us by relatives that he was quite a character!  As he was actually imortalised in the Bermondsey Boys poem we wondered if any London Rootschatters had heard of or stories about him?

[r m doughty]

Hello
  i remember Muttoneye he used to play his harmonium outside the Odeon cinema Mile End . and outside west end cinema's but i am sorry i do not know any of his history just remember him he was a character always wore a bowler hat
  regards
                Marie.

[suey]

Hi Marie - thanks for replying.  We're beginning to find snippets of info on Harry, good to hear from someone who actually remembers seeing him out and about ....

Suey

[DianaC]

Hi all!

I am smiling reading this as I am Muttoneye's granddaughter.  The stories I get from my mum about him always make me smile, he definitely was a character !  I have just started trying to compile a family tree and he really is hard to track down, I think he went by the name of Lowther but my mum (Fread Lowther) says that his father's name was Reuben Silverman or Pressman.  He never married my grandmother although they lived together and had 4 daughters, Frances, Freda, Penelope and Jospehine.  My mum is in her 80's now and she can't remember too much more about his parents, any help would be gratefully received!

[suey]

Hello Diana - great to hear from you!  Confusion all round with this family where surnames are concerned.  You are not far out though with the Silver and Pressman.

Henry (Harry, aka Muttoneye) Lowther was born c1886 Whitechapel, Deptford area of London.
Appears in 1891 census at 22 Creek Road Deptford with his mother Hannah and 3 siblings...he seems to be the eldest child of nine children.
His parents were Reuban Lowther and Hannah Dickenson

Reubans father was James Lowther Silva Carvalho a mariner born c1811 Madeira. Ruebans mother was Mary Ann Pressman b1814 Blackwall.

I have also sent you a personal message re this family.

Best wishes
Suey

[Glynis56]

been wrestling for 20 mins couldn't see the reply box!!!!!   Ok I'm Fanny Lowther's granddaughter    Muttoneye her brother  " Suey's " been talking to you   we have the same info more or less and as she is part of the Rueben side ofthe family  we have done really well but any info you have on Uncle Harry  Lottie Billy  would be great   Daph  was asking about a diana said she used to see her at Fannies would that be you or your mum .
I have limited contact with Lotties son (by another husband)  and good contact with others of rueben's family..

[DianaC]

Hi Glynis!

I will try to get more information for you but I have been trying to contact my mum all day with no luck, I do remember hearing about mums aunt Fanny, but the Diana Daph remembers is not me or my mum, my mum's name is Freda.  Muttoneye had 4 daughters with my mum's mum who was Emily Jane Jacks or Squires - they were not married.  The only contact I have with the Lowthers is my mum's sisters, Aunty Penny (I have always thought she was Penelope but may have been christened Henrietta) and Aunty Frances the other daughter of Muttoneye with Emily Squires was Josie but she died about 10 years ago.  I do believe that Harry was married before he met my grandmother - I would love to know if anybody has any photos of Reuben or Hannah - unlikely I know but one can hope !