Pickering Phipps M.P., J.P.

  Notes:

Pickering Phipps was born into a reasonably wealthy Northants brewing family. His father died when he was two and he was largely brought up by his mother and Uncles. Apparantely a "rowdy and ill-disciplined youth" even as a young man he was interested in political activity ; it is said that he was involved in a free-for-all in Cow Meadow during the 1841 election campaign! He was expelled from Mr Emery's Academy for Young Gentlemen for fighting. "In desperation his uncle secured him an apprenticeship with Mr Franklin a draper with a shop on the Market Square. He surprised his family by becoming a model worker", which was just as well as before his indentures had run their course, he was called away to assist his uncle in the brewery.
The ambitious Pickering eventually took over the brewery (with his cousin Richard Phipps) and expanded it to the point where shortly after his death it "had the largest pub estate of any Midland brewer, 9th largest in Britain". Years later the brewery was eventually merged with local rivals NBC and that combination was eventually purchased by Watney's.
On the political front he was first elected a member of the Northampton Town Council in 1854. In 1860, he was chosen mayor, and the following year he laid the foundation-stone of the new Town Hall. In 1865 he was elected alderman, and in 1866, for the second time, Mayor of the borough. In 1874 he was elected at the head of the poll Conservative Member for Northampton ; and he sat for the borough until 1880, when he was defeated. Early in 1881 he was returned unopposed at a bye-election for South Northamptonshire, and he retained the seat until the Reform Bill of 1885, when he was an unsuccessful candidate in the new division of Mid-Northamptonshire. He voluntarily severed his connection with the Northampton Town Council in 1876, and in January, 1889, was elected, without opposition, county councillor for Wootton division of the Northamptonshire County Council, a seat he occupied until his death on September I4th, 1890.
To this day there is a pub in Northampton (Wellingborough Road) called the 'Sir Pickering Phipps', presumably named out of loyalty/optimism, as he was never knighted.
His fortune secured he purchased a large property known as Collingtree Grange and eventually bought the even grander Horton Hall Estate in 1888 (only two years before he died). At Collingtree he developed an interest in agriculture and he occupied the positions of president of the Farmers' Alliance, president of the Northamptonshire Agricultural Society, president of the Northamptonshire Chamber of Agriculture, and president of the Northampton Fat Stock Show. Collingtree Grange wasn't sold by the family until 1913.
His business ventures were not limited to brewing as he was also owner of the Hunsbury Hill iron furnaces and he was Chairman of the Northamptonshire Banking Company, which, shortly before his death was amalgamated with the Capital and Counties Bank. He was also the last president of the Northamptonshire Savings Bank.
The family put a lot of its fortune back into the local community building the swimming baths opposite the brewery (spare hot water from the brewery was piped to the baths under the road!). He also bought land in Northampton's Kettering Road with a view to building a fine housing estate. Between 1877 and 1888, Bishop Magee spearheaded a major church building programme. Four were built; St Mary's, St Paul's, St Lawrence's and St Michael's and £35,000 was needed for building and endowment. Phipps, a great churchman, contributed £1,250 to the fund. He had hoped one day to build a church on his land in Kingsley Park, sadly this never happened during his lifetime. But after his death his family brought his dream to reality. They gave land and money for the building of St Matthew's Church in his memory in the area now called Phippsville. He was a Sunday school teacher at All Saints' Church, Northampton and was a strong supporter of the Northampton Society for the Diffusion of Religious and Useful Knowledge
He was also one-time owner of a famous Stradivarius violin, the 1717 'Sasserno'.


***********************
Bought the Horton Hall Estate in 1888 (2 yrs before he died).

There is a pub in Northampton called the 'Sir Pickering Phipps' but no (other) evidence that he was ever knighted.

One time owner of a famous Stradivarius
http://www.nmf.or.jp/english/instrument/instruments.html
Stradivarius 1717 violin " Sasserno ". The name of this violin is taken from a French owner in 1845, Comte de Sasserno. In 1894, it was acquired by a violinist Otto Peiniger, who in turn sold it to Pickering Phipps, owner of a well-known brewery in England. In 1906, this violin was passed into the hands of an English industrialist John Summers and was well-preserved in his family for 93 years. "

More on the brewery here; http://phipps-nbc.co.uk/, selected quotes;
"Pickering clearly prospered as he became mayor of Northampton in 1821, he died in 1830. His two sons, Richard and Thomas inherited the business on his death in 1830. Later a grandson, Pickering also joined. This was the man who put the company and the family on the county map, being Mayor in 1860 and 1866, and MP for Northampton from 1874 to 1880 before moving to a more rural South Northants seat in 1881. The firm, known as P.Phipps and Company from 1880, continued to expand under the stewardship of various family members. In 1886 the third Pickering Phipps became a director. In 1888 the company built grand new offices at 8 Gold Street and swimming baths were opened oposite the brewery, heated by spare hot water piped under the road. Later the Church of St Matthew`s Northampton was paid for by the family, with local wags naming it "Phipps' fire escape". The area around it, east of the Racecourse came to be known as Phippsville. The family exhibited the classic style of high Victorian capitalist philanthropists, amassing a fortune but putting a lot back into public good works. Like NBC, Phipps saw the benefit of linking up with the new craze for Association Football and Pickering Phipps became the Chairman of Northampton Town AFC. They also began a long sponsorship of the local Northamptonshire skittles league, it was still known as the Phipps league well into the 1970s. By 1892 P.Phipps and Co. had the largest pub estate of any Midland brewer, 9th largest in Britain. As a public company many of the shares were in the hands of the family at the end of the 19th century but Boddingtons of Manchester had a small stake. A Home Office report in that year recorded their number of tied houses as 242. Interestingly given the sad event many years later, Watney & Co had a similar number, 258 at the same time." .......... Watney's eventually took over Phipps', but first Phipps' merged with NBC ......"In Northampton and district many beer drinkers have been either "Phipps" men or "NBC" men, staunchly advocating the merits of one brew or the other - and sometimes bitterly (!) commenting on the alternative. It was a two-way affair with the drinkers backing their own customary favourite. But now, as the result of the merger of the two breweries, the two camps are drinking the same beer, brewed to a common recipe." ....... "On 26th of May 1974 the task of signing off the last brew and handing over the brewery to the demolition contractors poignantly fell to the Watney Mann Midland Division chairman, Guy Phipps-Walker a descendant of Pickering, who had worked at the brewery since 1953."
Presumably Phipps-Walker was a descendant of Emily Phipps' marriage to James Walker?

Brown, Brewed in Northants p61
"Pickering Phipps grew up a rowdy and ill-disciplined youth. He was expelled from Mr Emery's Academy for Young Gentlemen for fighting. In desperation his uncle secured him an apprenticeship with Mr Franklin a draper with a shop on the Market Square. He surprised his family by becoming a model worker."

'Phipps family of Bugbrooke ...etc' : "Was educated at Northampton at the school kept by Mr Emery, then the corner of Swan yard, and was early apprenticed to Mr William Franklin, a draper on the Market square. Before his indentures had run their course, he was called away to assist his uncle Thomas in the brewery. When 23 he married the daughter of Mr. John Whitney, of Northampton. In 1860 he went to live at Collingtree Grange, where he developed an interest in agriculture. At times he occupied the positions of president of the Farmers' Alliance, president of the Northamptonshire Agricultural Society, president of the Northamptonshire Chamber of Agriculture, and president of the Northampton Fat Stock Show. He was first elected a member of the Northampton Town Council for the South Ward in 1854. On November 9th, 1860, he was chosen mayor, and on the 22nd of October of the following year he laid the foundation-stone of the new Town Hall. In 1865 he was elected alderman, and in 1866, for the second time, mayor of the borough. In 1874 he was elected at the head of the poll Conservative Member for Northampton ; and he sat for the borough until 1880, when he was defeated. Early in 1881 he was returned unopposed at a bye-election for South Northamptonshire, and he retained the seat until the Reform Bill of 1885, when he was an unsuccessful candidate in the new division of Mid-Northamptonshire. He voluntarily severed his connection with the Northampton Town Council in 1876, and in January, 1889, was elected, without opposition, county councillor for Wootton division of the Northamptonshire County Council, a seat he occupied until his death on September I4th, 1890. Mr. Pickering Phipps, besides doing much to serve his town and county in the public capacities of councillor, alderman, and mayor, proved himself a public benefactor in other ways. As a successful business man he had his share in the progress of Northampton. As the owner of Hunsbury Hill iron furnaces he was the instrument of the prosperity of that locality. He was chairman of directors, until his death, of the Northamptonshire Banking Company, which, shortly before his decease was amalgamated with the Capital and Counties Bank. He was the last president of the Northamptonshire Savings Bank ; the business of which has been lately transferred to the Post Office. The purchase by Mr. Pickering Phipps of the Horton House estate in 1888, the former home of Hon. George Montague, the Earl of Halifax (who was ruined by the great election at Northampton in 1768), and of the Gunnings, should be mentioned here. At Hunsbury Hill, during excavations, a large quantity of ancient British antiquities was discovered, and these Mr. Phipps had carefully tended, and they are now on exhibition at the Northampton museum. In 1890 Mr. P. Phipps' name stood first in the nominations for the office of high sheriff of the county of Northampton; but his death happened before the sheriffs were actually pricked. In the realms of philanthropy he was ever an earnest worker. In his youth, when he resolved never to spend more than a set portion of his income, he was a Sunday school teacher at All Saints' church, Northampton. He was all along a strong supporter of the now defunct Northampton Society for the Diffusion of Religious and Useful Knowledge ; and he subscribed £1,250 to the required £35,000 for the building and endowment of five new parish churches in Northampton. In this connection it should be mentioned that in Bromyard, Mr. Richard Phipps and his wife are known philanthropists, and employ most of their time and money in finishing the education and condition of never less than 50 boys, principally from Dr. Barnardo's Home. Mrs. Jonathan Robinson, who is a sister of this Richard Phipps, is greatly interested in Home Mission work, especially amongst women in Northampton.
In this love of the church, which was a trait of Mr. Pickering Phipps, we recognise a family characteristic which has frequently revealed itself. The Phippses of Caldecott-the ancestors of Pickering were evidently a deeply religious family. Their house, in the latter years of the last century, was licensed for preaching
Pickering had two sons and eight daughters; one son and three daughters pre-deceased him., leaving Agnes Mary married to Mr. W. H. Lamb, M.B., London; Eleanor Whitmy, Bessie Louisa, Emily Florence married to Mr. James John Walker, Julia married to Rev. A. W. Gross, rector of Milton, and Pickering married to Alice Maude Quinton. Both Mrs. Lamb and Mrs. Walker have families.

'Northampton Past and Present';
But any notice of the trade of the town would be incomplete, were it not to include some mention of the big breweries, which have so largely developed within late years, owing no doubt to the decline of home-brewing and the general reliance on the cheapness and excellence of the article supplied by the common brewer. The oldest firm of brewers in Northampton is that of Messrs. P. Phipps and Company, Northampton and Towcester Breweries, Limited. The brewery business at Towcester was established in 1801, and that in this town in 1806, by Mr. Pickering Phipps, the grandfather of the late Pickering Phipps, from whom it passed to his three brothers, Edward, Richard, and Thomas Phipps, but the former dying before he reached the age of thirty, the business was carried on by the two remaining brothers. On their death the establishment came into the hands of the late Pickering Phipps and his cousin Mr. Richard Phipps. Entering into possession of a concern which had then been firmly established Messrs. P. and R. Phipps, by well-directed energy and excellent business capacity, have succeeded in largely developing their trade not only in this town, but throughout the surrounding district, and in 1886, the building of the present brewery became essential. In 1881, Mr. Richard Phipps retired from the concern leaving part of his share on loan to Mr. Thomas Phipps Dorman, grandson of Mr. Thomas Phipps. In 1881, Mr. P. Phipps and Mr. Dorman caused the business to be registered as a Limited Liability Company under the style as above. The original proprietors holding more than one-third of the capital, there is no Stock Exchange quotation for these shares.
The Northampton Brewery Company Limited, is another of our large breweries. This business formerly belonged to Messrs. Phillips Bros , who parted with the concern to Mr. S. L. Seckharn. He, following the example of his big confrere, turned the trade over to the present company, who in 1890 purchased the Lion Brewery (Messrs. Allen and Burnett). This undertaking has a Stock Exchange quotation.
and
THE NEW TOWN HALL occupies a commanding position in St. Giles'-square, and was erected at two different periods; the first or eastern portion in 1864, and the western portion in 1892. We purpose to describe first the eastern portion which has the Tower for its central feature and its magnificent front looking down Guildhall-road. This first portion stands on the site of several houses, the principal of which was the property and residence of Dr. Robertson. The foundation stone was laid on October 22nd,1861, by the late Mr. Pickering Phipps, who was then mayor of the town, and afterwards senior member for the borough.


1841 Census (age 14) living in a house in Albion Place, St Giles, Northampton along with mother and also Charlotte OUTLAW - who, presumably, is his mothers sister. Also others in house.

1851 Census (age 24) living in Bridge Street, Northampton All Saints with wife and daughter and 3 servants. Occupation; Brewer employing 20 men.

1861 Census (age 34) living in Collingtree (house name not given but next to The Rectory, in '71 The Grange is next to Rectory, so presum same place), Northants with wife, 5 daughters, a visitor (see below), a governess and 3 other servants. Occupation; Mayor of Northampton, Master Brewer, Spirit Merchant and farmer of 230 acres employing 20 men and 6 boys. Visitor is 'Uncle, Visitor'; Samuel Sherlock Collis(or Collin), Married, 45, Licensed Victualler, born Braintree, Essex.

1871 Census (age 44) living at The Grange, Collingtree, Nothants with 4 daughters, 2 sons, governess and 3 servants. Wife is with her sister in Hardingstone. Occupation; Alderman, Landowner, Brewer, Malster, Wine & Spirit Merchant, and farmer of 822 acres employing 34 men and 12 boys.
His mother Elizabeth (now Rice) is living in a cottage in same village, presum one of the estate houses.

1881 Census ; (age 54). Living at The Grange, Collingtree, Wooton, Nothants with wife, 2 (unmarried) daughters, 1 son, 1 married daughter (and her son), a companion and 2 servants. Occupation; "M.P., J.P., Common Brewer, Maltster, Wine and Spirit Merchant and Farmer. Employing 24 men, 47 boys (on farm)".

1876; Northampton public swimming baths opened in Cattle Market Road. Erected by Phipps Brewery – used waste heat from brewery to heat water.

1893; St. Matthew’s church built in Kettering Road, Northampton – designed by local architect Matthew Holding, built by Pickering Phipps Jnr as a memorial to his father. Now contains two major works of art: Henry Moore’s "Madonna and Child", and Graham Sutherland’s "Crucifixion". Church has a long and celebrated history of music making – home of town’s Bach Choir.
More on the church here; http://www.jwaller.co.uk/stmatthews/avirtualtour.htm
The 'Art of the Sacred' by Graham Howes states "St Matthews .... was built (as local residents never tire of telling one) from the profits of beer, in that it was paid for by the family of a rich local brewer, Pickering Phipps, who, like so many successful Victorian businessmen felt "we Phipps must give back to the God who has blessed us with prosperity".

1913: Collingtree Grange was sold (sales particulars on eBay). Solicitors were Messrs Geo. & G.W.Rands (qv).
Lot 1: "Attractive residential property know as the Grange. Standing in tastefully disposed and finely laid-out park, ornamental grounds and shrubbery, with good stabling and outbuildings surrounding greenhouses, vineries, kitchen gardens and orchard, in all about 76 acres". There were numerous other lots (about 20 I think) encompassing "Farm Bailiff's House, Desireable Homesteads, Cottages, 190 acres of land divided into Small holdings." It is unclear if the whole was Phipps' but I think so ; certainly 6 cottages, entrance lodge and Bailiff's house were part of lot 1. The Grange itself had cloak room, dining room, drawing room, billiard room, study and morning rooms, kitchen, back kitchen, butlers pantry,wine cellars and 7 principal bedrooms, nursery and 3 secondary bedrooms and "2 good attic bedrooms for servants".
John George Sears (of shoemaking fame) bought it.

More here;
http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=towcester&id=I3494

In the National Archives;
Indenture - Assignment
1. The Northants Banking Co Ltd
2. James Barry and Augustus Kempson of Northampton - gents
John Reid of the Capital & Counties Bank
3. George RANDS of Northampton - gent
to
4. Pickering PHIPPS of Collingtree Grange - esq
for £8,000 paid by (4) to (2)
(2) assign to (3) £9,832 secured on Indenture of 2.12.1885 which referred to Horton Hall & estate

According to Margot Asquiths Authobiog a Godfrey Webb "reading that a Mr Pickering Phipps has broken his leg on rising from his knees at prayer, immediately wrote this couplet: On bended knees, with fervent lips, Wrestled with Satan Pickering Phipps, But when for aid he ceased to beg, The wily devil broke his leg" !

Pickering Phipps seems to have been a member of the Royal Meterological Society (his obit is in their 1891 publication)

From Northampton Chronicle;
http://www.northamptonchron.co.uk/david-saints-column/The-legend-of-brewer-Phipps.3549306.jp
"On bended knee with fervent lips, Wrestled with Satan, Pickering Phipps; But for aid he ceased to beg; The wily devil broke his leg." A verse quoted in Margot Asquith's autobiography. It referred to an account in a national newspaper of Phipps breaking his leg on rising from prayer!
Many local people know the name 'Phipps'. Some remember the brewery; others know the area in Kingsley Park that bears the name. The younger generation might know the pub in Wellingborough Road, The Sir Pickering Phipps. But who was he?
Pickering Phipps was named after his grandfather who had first brewed beer in Towcester in 1801. The company moved to Bridge Street in Northampton in 1917 where it thrived and became part of the fabric of Northampton. His father died when he was only two and young Pickering was brought up mostly by his uncles. He went to school in College Street and even as a young man he was interested in political activity. It is said that he was involved in a free-for-all in Cow Meadow during the 1841 election campaign!
After working for a while as a draper's apprentice in Market Square he joined the family brewery and when he married his beloved Mary Ann in 1850 they moved into the brewery house. He was keen to serve the community and was a popular Conservative choice for the South Ward in the 1854 Borough Council elections. He held the ward for 23 years.
In 1860 he became Mayor of the Borough for the first time, he held the office again in 1866. His grandfather had been Mayor in 1817. He successfully won one of Northampton's parliamentary seats in 1874 as the first Conservative since 1835 and held it until his defeat in 1880 when the United Liberal Party representatives Labouchere and Bradlaugh swept to victory. But Phipps stayed on the borough council until 1883. He did, however, return to major political life in 1881.
The death of Major Cartwright, of Aynhoe Park, meant that one of the seats for South Northamptonshire became vacant. Phipps was selected, along with Sir Rainald Knightly, at a Conservative meeting in Northampton on February 25. He was returned, uncontested, and served as MP for three years.
In 1888 Phipps bought the magnificent Horton House from the Gunning family; he really was prospering. But he had never kept his wealth to himself. He also bought land in Northampton's Kettering Road with a view to building a fine housing estate. Between 1877 and 1888, Bishop Magee spearheaded a major church building programme. Four were built; St Mary's, St Paul's, St Lawrence's and St Michael's and £35,000 was needed for building and endowment. Phipps, a great churchman, contributed £1,250 to the fund. He had hoped one day to build a church on his land in Kingsley Park, sadly this never happened during his lifetime. But after his death his family brought his dream to reality. They gave land and money for the building of St Matthew's Church in his memory in the area now called Phippsville that surrounds his 'memorial'.

Pickering married Mary Anne Whitney, daughter of John Whitney and Unknown. (Mary Anne Whitney was born in 1830 in Northampton, Northants.)