Sir William Barrott Montfort Bird J.P., M.P.

  Notes:

1861 Census (age 5) living with parents, brothers and 4 servants at Wilmington House, Wilmington Kent. Occupation; Scholar.

1871 Census (age 15) living with parents, siblings, 2 servants at 27 Hamilton Terrace, St John's, Marylebone, London. Occupation; Articled Clerk to Solicitors.

1881 Census (age 26) living at Head/Lodger at 2 Verulam Buildings, Grays Inn, Finsbury. Occupation; Solicitor. Lodger called Frances Shepherd (merhant). This is where I got the 'Bell' from (previously BM). Here says born in Gray's Inn, but seems like correct person.

1891 Census ; few possibles, but nothing really stands out as being definately him. Closest match is probably William HB Bird (34) living as Lodger in Holborn, occupation not given. BUT gives PoB as Hillingdon, Middlesex?

1901 Census; Only 1 William Bird of correct age born in Bloomsbury - married with 2 children and living in Lambeth. Eldest child is 18. Occupation; Costermonger. COULD be correct person, but seems unlikely. There is a John Bird (28) of the same occupation living next door, also born in Bloomsbury.

1921 Census; Living (age 65y11m) as 'head' at Eartham House, Eartham, Chichester. With wife and (at least) 8 servants (might be more on next page. Occupation; Member of Parliament, Farmer, Solicitor, Director of Public Companies.

Wendy found ; Times Nov 15 1950. BIRD on November 13 1950 Sir William Barrott Montfort Bird JP second son of the late Wm Fred.Wrat. Bird age 95. Funeral Private. No flowers. Memorial Service Chichester Cathedral 2.30 Thursday Nov 23. Train leaves Victoria 12.18
and
Times Nov 15 1950
Long obituary entitled: Sir William Bird Former High Sheriff of Sussex
Key points:
Partner & Cousin of Sir Ernest Bird past President of Law Society
Second son of Wm Fred,Wrat Bird and born 11 July 1855
Educated Bruce Castle
on board of: Williams Deacon's Bank; Staveley Coal and Iron; Park Gate Iron and Steel
Hobbies: Big game hunting in Nepal East Africa and Sudan
High Sheriff Sussex 1912
Represented Chichester Division of West Sussex as a Unionist 1921-1923
Knighted 1920
The Bird family has an old association with Salter's Company - Sir William was Master 1912
Master of the Makers of Playing Cards Company
At his home at Eartham near Chichester country pursuits occupied his later years and he acquired an extensive knowledge of bird life trees and shrubs.
He had a remarkable memory and plesant sense of humour and was an agreeable companion.
Married 1895 Margaret Elizabeth widow of Mr J H Murray who died in 1933.
There were no children of the marriage.

Bird & Bird is still going ; http://www.twobirds.com/English/ABOUTUS/Pages/History.aspx

His portrait is in the NPG

Of Eartham House, Chichester; built for him by Lutyens.
Kelly's Directory 1918, Eartham, West Sussex ; Eartham House, the seat of William Barrott Montfort Bird esq. was formerly the residence of William Hayley, the poet, who died at Felpham 12th November 1820; the house and the estate were purchased by the present owner from Sir John P. Milbanke bart. V.C. in 1905, when the house was restored. W. B. M. Bird esq. is the principal land owner.

William married Margaret Elizabeth Spencer in 1895. (Margaret Elizabeth Spencer died in 1933.)