Mayor of St Albans

[nickyhug]

I believe my 2nd Great Grand Uncle was Mayor of St Albans.  His name was William Hurlock and he was born in about 1840.  He was married to a Susan Maples and they had 2 sons, Walter and William.  Does anyone know of where I could find out about when he was Mayor.  Any help would be greatfully appreciated.
Nickyhug

[JLo]

I'll definitely be able to help you - I'll need to have a look and may be a trip to the library, fortunately I live in St Albans.  My Great Grandfather was the Town Clerk and probably knew your relative well.

I'll let you know if I find anything.

Julie

[Rick]

Nickyhug

Do you need any census information for William and Susan?

Rick

[JLo]

Do you have any idea when he was Mayor? 

I've found him so far as Councillor (1890,1895 & 1899) and Alderman (1902)

Also found this reference to him
'At the foot of the hill, opposite the pond, was "Ver House", the residence of Mr. William Hurlock, alderman and one-time mayor of the city, a London businessman. It was a beautiful house fronting up the hill with the river Ver flowing through the garden'

So he definitely was mayor, it just a matter of tracking down when....I guess a trip to the library is needed!

[nickyhug]

Julie, Many thanks, unfortunately I do not know the date he was Mayor, but I will contact my second cousin, who may know a little more, but I think he only knows what I know - which isn't a lot!

Rick if you could possible find any census information that would be great.

Thank you both of you for your help so far, it really is appreciated
Nicky

[JLo]

No problem, just thought it might narrow down the search a bit.  I'll let you know what I find at the library, will try to go in the next couple of days.

Julie

[Rick]

I believe my 2nd Great Grand Uncle was Mayor of St Albans.  His name was William Hurlock and he was born in about 1840.  He was married to a Susan Maples and they had 2 sons, Walter and William.  Does anyone know of where I could find out about when he was Mayor.  Any help would be greatfully appreciated.
Nickyhug

Hi Nickyhug

Here they are.

1901 Census. RG13/1311 Folio 11b
Ver House, Holywell Hill, St Albans

HURLOCK
William, Head, Mar, 60, General Salesman, b Deptford, Kent
Susan, Wife, 59, b Islington, London
Marion, Dau in law, Widow, 34, b St Albans, Herts
George, Grandson, 9, b Old Kent Road, London
Queenie CHALLERTON, Grandaughter, 5, b St Albans, Herts
+ 1 Servant.

1891 Census.RG12/1116 Folio 30a
Ver House, Holywell Hill, St Albans

HURLOCK
William, Head, Married, 50, Clothier & Draper, b Deptford, Kent
Susannah, Wife, 49, b Clerkenwell, London
Charlotte, Dau, Unm, 22, b St Albans, Herts
Frederick, Son, 16, b St Albans, Herts
+ 2 Servants.

1871 Census. RG10/622 Folio 78a
68 Walworth Terrace, Newington, Surrey

HURLOCK
George, Head, Married, 67, Draper & Clothier, b Spitalfields
Charlotte, Wife, 67, b Bishopsgate
William, Son, Married, 30, Draper & Clothier, b Deptford
Charlotte, Dau, Unm, 26, b Deptford
Emily C Williams, Grandaughter, 7, Scholar, b Bennington
+ 3 Servants

The 1881 is online; http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Search/frameset_search.asp?PAGE=census/search_census.asp

The 1861 for the London area is also online - pay to view in case they were still there. http://www.1837online.com/Trace2web/  The 1861 for Herts is only available on film at present.

Rick

[nickyhug]

Rick,
Thank you very much!  I will now digest the information and see where it leads me!!
Nicky

[JLo]

Hi Nicky

I found him!  He was Mayor in 1887.  I also found him as Councillor from 1882 (although I didn't check any earlier) to 1899 and Alderman from 1900 to 1908.  In the 1908 directory it said he was due to retire in 1910, but he wasn't in the 1909 or 1910 directories so I would guess he died in 1908/9.  Another note of slight interest was that he was Alderman when Samuel Ryder was mayor - he became famous and founded (among other things) the Ryder Cup (golf competition).

Another snippet I found out about him was that he was involved in the Baptist Church and laid one of the memorial stones when St Albans Tabernacle was built.  I think the building is still there - now a Salvation Army Hall.

I didn't get a chance to find out about Ver House, but I don't think it's there anymore.  I'm sure there would be information on it somewhere and probably a picture.

I'm quite happy to go and have another look if you want me to find out anything else.  I can probably find his death/burial quite easily if you want it.  I would imagine there is also be an obituary in the local paper, which again would be straight forward to find (and may include lots of info on him and his family).  One burial I did find was one of his sons - Albert Edward who died Jan 21st 1882 aged 2yrs 5 months and was buried in St Peters Church, St Albans (although his headstone is no longer there).  I expect William and Susan were buried in St Albans Abbey.

Let me know what else you want to know and I'll try and find it!!
Julie