All About Thornton

Known in later life as Canon Tollitt, the vicar of St. James Church from 1909 to 1950. This page is in part a biography, taken from newspaper artices in the British Newspaper Archive, which does not include the Bradford Telegraph and Argus. At a later date I shall include more information from Bradford Local Studies Library and the Thornton Archive.

Arthur Tollitt was born on February 4, 1869. The 1881 Census has the following details for a house called Fairseat, number 5 South Parks Road in Oxford: Henry J. Tollitt, born in Uxbridge, Middlesex, aged 46, an architect; Jane Tollitt his wife aged 50, no occupation; and their children who were all shown as Scholars: Percy K Tollitt, son aged 17; Isabel S Tollitt, aged 14; Arthur H Tollitt. aged 12; Reginald J. Tollitt, aged 10, Charles R. Tollitt, aged 7; and Lilian Jane Tollitt, aged 5. There were also a Domestic servant / housemaid, Mary A. Smith; and a Domestic servant / cook, Rosa A. Goodall. Henry J. Tollitt was not only an architect with his own practice, but also County Surveyor of Oxfordshire. In the 1871 census there was also a daughter, Hernrietta, aged 6. For brief details of the lives of Arthur’s siblings scrioll down to the end of this page. As with other “biographical” pages, the rest of this page will mainly be in chronological order.

(AHT aged 15) 1884, June 21st. The Oxford Chronicle reported that Arthur had passed the Junior Division of the Royal Academy Musical Examination, and had been a pupil of Miss S. Brown of Oxford.

(AHT aged 17 and 18) 1886 and 1887, 3 articles show of Arthur’s interest in cricket, being one of the three sports which he played. The other two were Golf and Chess. The Witney Express of August 19th 1886 reported on the success of Witney Cricket Club against Mr. Moultries’ XI, in winning by an innings and 38 runs. Arthur was on the losing side scoring 1 run in his first innings before being run out, and 10, the second highest score of his side, in the second innings. He also had a spell of bowling, and took one wicket. In the other two matches reported in the newspapers, Arthur, Reginald, and their father, Henry played in the local team, Holywell Cricket Club, against Oxford Wanderers, in August 1887, Holywell lost by 11 runs. In the other, against Mr. G. S. Gunnis’ XI in July 1889, Holywell lost by 275 runs. Of the total of 29 scored by the Holywell side Arthur scored 2 runs. His father and brother failed to score.

(AHT aged 18) 1887, April 22. It was announced that Arthur, a student at Magdalen College School in Oxford and been awarded an Open Classical Scholarship at Lincoln College, Oxford University.

1887, June 25. The Oxford Chronicle reported that in the local examination of the Royal College of Music, Arthur, a pupil of Mr. Mills had passed the exam in Pianoforte playing.

(AHT aged 21) 1890. The Shipley Times and Express tells us that Arthur graduated in 1890, and for the next 3 years studied under the Bishop of Liverpool at Wycliffe Hall Theological College in Oxford, prior to being ordained.

(AHT aged 24) 1893. At that time, the Revd. Arthur Tollitt became curate of St. Michael’s Church in Oxford.

(AHT aged 28 ) 1897, January 18. The Yorkshire Evening Post reported that “The Revd. Arthur Tollitt, late of St. Michael’s, Oxford, has become curate at the Parish Church, Baildon.” He had been inducted at Baildon by 31st March, when he attended a confirmation service at Shipley. During his time at Baildon, he had charge of the mission church of St. James.

(AHT aged 30) 1899, May 1. The Leeds Mercury reported that he was knocked out of the first round of Bradford Golf Club’s Macmillan Cup competition, by a score of 5-up and 3 to play, by F.M.Gilbert.

1900, January 26. The Rev. Arthur Henry Tollitt, M.A., was appointed as curate of Bradford Parish Church, (the church which since 1919 has been known as Bradford Cathedral.)

(AHT aged nearly 32) 1901, February 2. This day, a Saturday, was the day of Queen Victoria’s funeral. The Bradford Daily Telegraph of that day, had every page edged in black. In most churches and chapels, and synagogues, in towns and cities throughout the land, there were well attended memorial services. The Bradford Daily Telegraph described in detail the procession from the town hall to the Parish Church, where the service was led by the vicar of Bradford, the Rev. Dr. Robertson, assisted by five clergy including the Rev. Arthur Tollitt.

1901, April 6. The Bradford Observer reported on a Good Friday service at the Bradford Parish Church, conducted by the Vicar, the Revd. J. Robertson, D.D. at which a “magic” lantern was introduced for the first time into the building. “The principal part of the service consisted of a comprehensive and earnest address by the Vicar on the Passsion of our Lord, and this was illustrated by reproductions of Tissot‘s paintings, which were projected on a screen hung in the chancel archway. They were thus visible to the whole of the large congregation which filled the centre of the nave. the pictures were more effective as the artist’s aim evidentally was to realise as closely as possible the actual incidents and their local colour“…”The lantern was ably managed by the Revd. Arthur Tollitt, assisted by Mr. Raistrick.”

(AHT aged 36) 1905, June 16. The Shipley Times and Express reported “The Rev. Arthur Tollitt, curate of the Bradford Parish Church (formerly of Baildon), is seriously ill.” The same newspaper reported on August 18, of the same year, “The many friends of the Rev. Arthur Tollitt, M.A., a former curate of Baildon, will be pleased to learn that the gentleman, who, it was recently announced, as seriously indisposed, has had a distinct turn for the better. It was feared that he would have to undergo an operation, but his medical advisers have now decided that it is unnecessary. Mr. Tollitt, at present, holds a curacy at Bradford Parish Church.”

(AHT aged 40) 1909, February 12. The Bradford Weekly Telegraph and the Shipley Times and Express both reported that the Rev. Arthur Tollitt, M.A., had accepted the oversight of the parish of Thornton, in succession to the late vicar, the Rev. J Jolly. It was reported that” “Mr. Tollitt, while at Bradford Parish Church threw his whole heart into the work among young men and boys. His labours in connection with the Church Lads’ Brigade will be long remembered, and it is partly due to his earnest endeavours that the organisation in Bradford is so efficient and healthy. During the last year Mr. Tollitt has been in charge of the district of Thornbury, where his gifts of a leader have been conspicuous. Much new work has been opened up through his instrumentality. He has considerably helped forward the Society of Sacred Study among the Bradford clergy.”

1909, April 19. Mr. Tollitt was inducted on Monday 29th into the parish of Thornton by the Bishop of Richmond, Dr. Pulleine, who impressed upon the congregation the necessity of assisting him in his work, if the change was to be a blessing to the church. It was a responsible and difficult work, and he hoped that they would not assume that everything depended on the vicar.

1909, June 18. The Whitby Gazette reported on the yearly encampment of the Church Lads’ Brigade. 450, of all ranks, were living under canvas for the week. 95 bell tents had been put up, plus 8 marquees, the latter for the orderly room, the hospital, mess tents and other offices. Lads had come from a wide range of parishes, including the Rev. Arthur Tollitt’s former parish of St. Stephen at Thornbury, and also from Bradford Parish Church. The Rev. Arthur Tollitt was one of the clergy assisting,

1909, July 23. The Bradford Weekly Telegraph reported on a Chaity Concert at Thornton, presided over by the vicar, The Rev. Arthur Tollitt, M.A. The Bradford Hospital Fund (Incorporated benefitted to the extent of £ 12s as a result of the sacred concert given by the Thornton Vocal Union. The report states “A large and fashionable crowd assembled in the Demostration Field, by kind permission of Mr. George Farrar, and an extensive programme of hymns, anthems, and part-songs were excellently rendered by the Union.”

(AHT aged 44) 1913, October 10. In a report of a funeral service for Miss Jane Gladwyn, who for 20 years had been the lady worker in connection with Thornton Parish Church, there is a reference to the fact that as well as leading the service, the Rev. Arthur Tollitt and Miss Tollitt were among the chief mourners. Miss Tollit was the younger sister. Arthur Tollitt remained single, and at some point was joined by Lilian J. Tollitt, his younger sister. They lived with each other until Arthur died in 1955. There will be some detail of the family as listed in the 1881 census, at the end of Arthur’s biography.

1913, April 18. The Bradford Weekly Telegraph reported on an interesting ceremony which had taken place on Monday 14 April. The Thornton Horticultural Society, with the assistance of Bradford City Council, and a number of residents, had raised funds to plant forty trees by the side of the road leading to Thornton village, the first of them planted on that day. The first tree was planted by Mr. F.W. Hill, the president of the society, and others by Councillor Barraclough, Mr. James Barraclough, Mr. Fergus Nixon, the Rev. Arthur Tollitt, Mr T.C. Emmott, Mr F. Spencer (Chairman of the Horticultural Society), Mr. G. Butterfield, Mr. John Sugden and Mr. Ed Spencer. Mr. F.W.Hill said he hoped the idea would be taken up in other parts of the city. “Thornton was one part which was developing. Together with its commercial development, however, they wished to add to its beauty.“

(AHT aged 45) 1914, June 23. The Bradford Daily Telegraph reported on the annual gathering of the Church Lads’ Brigade at Bridlington, where about a third of the Lads had come from the Bradford area, including from Bradford Parish Church, Thornbury and Thornton. On the Sunday evening the address at the drumhead service was given by the Rev. Arthur Tollitt of Thornton, St. James. The service was interrupted by rain and had to be completed in the Mess Tent,

1914, August 26. It was reported that the Lady Mayoress, while thanking those who had donated so generously to her appeal to her War Guild, for help, she wished people to know that named ladies had volunteered to be representatives of certain wards, and are willing to give information as required. For Thornton Ward: Secretary Miss Barraclough of Dalemoor, Thornton, helpers: Mrs. Barraclough, Mrs. Grenwood, Mrs. Hodgson, Mrs. Stewart, and Miss Tollitt.

1915, January 11. There was a report of an event at Eastbook Hall, on the occasion of the visit of the famous scientist, Sir Oliver Lodge, who gave a memorable address on the relationship of Christianity and the war. Eastbrook Hall was full, with men stood in the aisles and on the steps leading to the platform. About 2,500 men were present. Included were several clergymen, including the Rev. Arthur Tollitt.

(AHT aged 46) 1915, February 10. The Bradford Daily Telegraph reported on a musical concert in aid of the Belgian Famine Fund. The concert was promoted by Thornton Horticultural Society and the Cinema Committee of Thornton Mechanics Institute, held at the Mechanics Institute. It was presided over by the Vicar of Thornton, (the Rev. Arthur Tollitt). Items were contributed by Miss Hilda Thornton (Soprano) and Mr. Clifford Sanctuary (tenor), with Miss Milfred Horsfall as accompanist. M de Sloovere and M de Smet of Ghent showed themselves to be clever war cartoonists. Pictures of Belgium, as it has suffered, were also displayed. An address was given by Mr. Walter Wray. He pointed out that food supplies intended for the famine-stricken people had not so far been requisitioned by the German authorities. Contributors to the Famine Fund might rely on judicious use being made of any money received.

(AHT aged 47) 1916, April 17 The Bradford Daily Telegraph reported on a “simple but fervent service” at the parish church, led by the Vicar, to celebrate the centenary of the birth of Charlotte Brontë. A copy of the article will be given at the end of this biography of Arthur Tollit and his siblings. at Newspaper Reference A.

1917, January 26. The annual meeting of the Thornton Nursing Association was held in the Mechanics Institute, with the Rev. Arthur Tollitt presiding. the Hon. Secretary was Mrs. Downs, and the Treasurer was Mrs. Stewart. the report showed that the nurses had attended 90 cases of illness and made 2,318 visits.

(AHT aged 53) 1922, September 30. Mr. Tollit gave the Dedicatory prayer on the unveining of the War Memorial.

(AHT aged 62) 1931, 9 March. The Yorkshire Post of this date reported that the Kitchen Correspondence Chess Tournament which was being run for the first time for several years 8 entries had been received for this tournament. In the draw the Rev. Arthur Tollitt of Thornton was against F. Watson of Bradford.

(AHT aged 63) 1932, June 7. The Sheffield Clergy lost to the Bradford Clergy golf teams. Arthur Tollitt won both his Singles game and the Foursomes.

(AHT aged 65) 1934, November 3. A bazaar was held to celebrate Mr, Tollitt being vicar of Thornton for 25 years. The Provost of Bradford who opened the Bazaar said of Mr. Tollitt “I would describe him as a friend of everybody“. Your vicar not only lives at the Vicarage, but also in your hearts.”

(AHT aged 67) 1936, November 6. A report in the Yorkshire Observer on the work of the British Legion. It appealed for more collectors for Poppy Day. A list of local organisers for Bradford was given, including the Rev. Arthur Tollitt of Thornton Vicarage.

1936. November 30. The Bradford Observer reported on the annual united civic service in Thornton, held at New Road (Thornton Road) Congregational Church. It was attended by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress. The service was led by the Rev. C Fearnley Jones, the lessons were read by the Rev. Thomas McKay and the Thornton Salvation Army Captain G. Branson, and the Vicar of Thornton, Mr. Tollitt led the prayers. A service was also held at the cenotaph by the Rev. N. Johnston of Kipping Chapel, a wreath being placed on the war memorial by Mr. J. W. Downs.

(AHT aged 68) 1937, May 31. The annual service for Thornton Grammar School Founders’ Day had good weather. It followed a procession from the school, (then roughly where Thornton Medical Centre now is) to the church, led by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress, the headmaster, Mr. H. A. Beaton, former pupils and members of staff. The service was conducted by the Rev. Arthur Tollitt and the sermon was presented by the Bishop of Wakefield, who said that the purpose of life is service, first to God, and then to one’s neighbour, and the true aim of the teaching of any school should be towards that end.

(AHT aged 70) 1939, May 29. It was reported that the Rev Arthur Tollitt had been appointed a canon, to the vacant canonry of St. Ethelburga in Bradford Cathedral.

1939, September 29. A national Register of where people were on that day was held. It was used as a basis for rationing through the war years. It shows for 300 Thornton Road (Vicarage). Tollitt, Arthur H. male, single, born 4 Feb 1869 Vicar of the parish of Thornton, and Tollitt, Lilian J, female, single, born 28 July 1875, occupation: Unpaid Domestic Duties.

(AHT aged 72) 1941, October 6. It was reported that Canon Tollitt of Yorkshire, playing in the annual postal chess tournament for the National Chess Federation’s team against Warwickshire, won his match against G. Mortimer of Coventry.

(AHT aged 75) 1944, June 2. Founders’ Day was commemorated at Thornton Parish Church, attended by the Headmaster, teaching staff, scholars, and parents and friends. Mr. Tollitt led the service and the sermon was preached by the Rev. Eric Treacy of Keighley.

1944, June 23. A lectern, for use in the main hall of the school, made by the woodwork master at Thornton Grammar School, Mr. W. Smith, was dedicated by Rev. Arthur Tollitt.

(AHT aged 81) 1950, November 28. The Bradford Observer reported on the 27th Thornton united churches’ civic service. Canon Arthur Tollitt was unable to attend because of illness.

1950, March 27. After 41 years as Vicar of Thornton, Canin Tollit resigned, at the age of 81. He and his sister retired to the Oakham area of Rutland, close to his elder sister, Isabel.

(AHT aged 82) 1951, August 19. It was reported in the Weekly Dispatch that Mr. L. H. Hall had beaten Canon A. H. Tollitt, in a Chess Match lasting over 8 weeks, to win the Oakham, Rutland, Chess Club Shield.

(AHT died aged 86) 1955. As yet the exact date of death of Arthur Tollitt is not known. A newspaper report of Isabel Britten, his elder sister’s death, in the Melton Mowbray Times of 4 November 1955 states: “Mrs. Britten, who was 88 years of age, was the daughter of the late Henry James Tollitt, an architect, of Oxford, and sister of the international chess player, Canon Tollitt, who died at Oakham recently.” One of the mourners was Miss L. J. Tollitt, her sister.

Newspaper Reference A

from the Bradford Daily Telegraph of 17 April 1916. It had 4 headings of reducing in size bold typeface: CHARLOTTE BRONTE.; CENTENARY CLELEBRATIONS.; THORNTON MEMORIAL; UNVEILED.; ADEL RECTOR’S APPRECIATION. The article reads:

” The centenary celebrations of the birth of Charlotte Bronte were commenced yesterday afternoon with simple but fervent service at Thornton Parish Church. Charlotte Bronte was born in the old parsonage at Thorntonon April 21st, 1816 and it was appropriate that the first tribute to her memory should be paid in the village. It is not known whether the famous author ever visited Thornton when she had reached matutre years, but the Rev. W. H. Draper said at yesterday’s service ‘We might well believe in the first chapter of her life at Thornton the deepest influence of all her life was given to Charlotte Bronte” For that reason Thornton, though really only on the fringe of the Bronte country, will remain historical in Bronte tradition.

A paragraph headed MEMORIAL TABLET reads: “Nowhere is the famous author more honoured than in Thorton, where the people to perpetuate her memoriy, subscribed towards a brass tablet which was unveilled at yesterday’s service. Despite the inclement weather, the admirers of the Brontes travelled in good numbers to Thornton to pay their homage to the memory of “Currer Bell”, and the church was filled, there being a large number of representatives ofthe Bronte Society present. The Vicar of Thornton (the Rev. Arthur Tollitt) conducted the service, which throughout was impressive in its simplicity; the Rev. W H Draper, the rector of Adel and president of the Leeds Literary Society, unveilled the tablet, and delivered an address, and the Rev. W.M.Watson (minister of Kipping Independent Chapel) read the lesson. An Augmented choir rendered the anthem “What are those that are arrayed in white robes?“, and the whole of the hymns, which were sung with sympathetic feeling, were from the pen of Anne Bronte. The tablet unveiled was inscribed as follows:- To the inspiring memory and genius of Charlotte Bronte, author of “Jane Eyre”, “Shirley” and “Villette”; and in commemoration of her birth at Thornton on April 21, 1816. During the five years that her father, the Rev. Patrick Bronte, A.B., exercised his ministry here his four gifted children were born, and were baptised in the old Thornton Chapel, nigh to this church – Charlotte (“Currer Bell”) 1816, Patrick Branwell 1817, Emily Jane (“Ellis Bell”) 1818, Anne (“Acton Bell”) 1820. this tablet was erected by the Thornton people in time of European War, 1916.”

The next paragraph was headed “AN APPRECIATION” and reads: “In an appreciative address the Rev. W. H. Draper said that in the north, in her native palce, it was fitting they should keep the first centenary of Charlotte Bronte’s birth, but not there did they think of her genius, or hert true liffe, circumscribed or localised, not there on in england or Brussels, for it breathed about the world. Deep in he hearts of men her power survived. Her great heart was moved by passions and her mind was quick to respond to sympathy, yet there was always a fundamental strength about her which prevented her being swept away or dragged down from her own lofty ideals of honour and truth. She had great power of scorn for what was merely showy or vain, and equally great power of appreciation for what constituted real kindness, fulness of character and rich nobility of nature. Asking how they should think of Charlotte Bronte at her birthplace, and how she would like herself to be thought of, Mr. Draper said: ” Would it still be with a certain feeling of romance about her, a certain atmosphere of literature; a certain restraint from things too bluntly stated, too boldly plain or wanting in that reticence and reverence which ought to be kept where deep things of the heart and spirit are in question? She was a woman of sorrows and acquainted with grief. She had suffered anguish with her sisters. She had been wounded in heart; she had struggled with poverty. She was taken away just when she was coming into fame, just when she had begun to know and lean upon a good man’s love.“

The next paragraph is headed “LIVING CHARACTERS” and reads: “Yet it is not on the note of sorrow that we ought to take our final thought of Charlotte Bronte. we are thanking God for her birth, and we thank her also for giving birth to those characters, who in her books live and will live. In her books she is the mother of sons and daughters whom death cannot touch, and whom forgetfulness cannot reach. To name Jane Eyre, Mr. Rochester, Mons, Paul Emmanuel and Lucie Snow will be sufficient. So as we part from her today, and as we think of her as having entered one or other of those many mansions of love in which she believed, let us think of her as going in with that surprise of happiness which she herself so beautifully described in the page that tells of the new house that love had provided and made ready for Lucy Snow.”

The newspaper article continued “The local celebrations are to be continued on Wednesday, when at the Thornton Mechanics’ Institute, Mr. Jonas Bradley of Stanbury, will lecture on “Bronte-land.” Sir Wm. Priestley, M.P., will preside on that occasion. These arrangements have been made and celebrations initiated by a representative committee at Thornton, consisting of Mr Charles Horsfall (chairman), Mr. C. Tapp, Mr. James Barraclough, Mr. J. Bell, Mr. J. Wild, Mr. Jas Booth, the Rev Arthur Tollitt, Rev W.M.Watson, and Mr. R. Townson (secretary).”

(Indexed (people) up to this point as at 12noon on 12 June 2024.) More to be added at a later date when I’ve checked other sources.)