James Alexander Stretton Fair |
Research by Joyce Turner & Anne Matthews
|
James Alexander Stretton Fair (1863-1941) was the grandson of the highly influential Land Agent, James Trotter Fair (1803-1871), whose enthusiasm and determination were major factors in the successful development of Lytham St Annes. His father, Thomas Fair JP (1837-1914), who took over as Land Agent from James Senior, was involved in the letting of the first lease for the new town of St Anne’s-on-the Sea; by 1895 both Lytham and St Annes had become Urban Districts.
Evidence shows that by 1893 James Alexander was also taking an active part in the management of the Clifton estate, the third generation to do so. He held a special place in the affections of the Clifton family; after all the children of the two families had grown up together and each enjoyed the others' company. He was treated as a member of the Clifton family and enjoyed the stalking, shooting and lavish hospitality always afforded to their guests, especially evident at Rhidorroch, near Ullapool, their Scottish Estate. It was for this reason that, in the main, James dealt with all the Clifton family correspondence in preference to his father. Their familiarity allowed for a frankness on both sides, the Cliftons always addressing him as ‘Dear Jim’ or ‘My dear Jim’, in their letters. Differing points of view and disagreements, even stretching to sarcasm, can be identified in their correspondence, purely because of Fair’s frequent reminders of the need for economy. What was in no doubt was that the whole family knew and appreciated James’ ability and dedication regarding the management of the estate.
William Whinnerah became Land Agent with the retirement of James in 1919 and like his predecessors, the Fairs, acted as both confidante and advisor to all members of the Clifton family. James became a Trustee of the estate on his retirement.
James Alexander died in 1941 aged 77, his father, Thomas, in 1914. He donated three Ansdell paintings to the Lytham St Annes Art Collection, A Scottish Landscape with Stalkers, Dead Game, Pannier and Plaid and Red Cow. These paintings were originally bought directly from Richard Ansdell by his grandfather and would seem a fitting tribute to his father, Thomas, to mark the centenary of his birth in August 1837.
JAMES TROTTER FAIR (1803-1871)
James Fair was born in Hadelington, Berwickshire in 1803. James' father, William, originated from Fife but came to England with his family to take up a post as Land Agent to Sir Henry Bold Houghton of Houghton Tower, Preston. Whilst James was still a boy he was placed in the service of the Earl of Derby and in 1830, at the age of 26, took charge of the Earl's estates in the Fylde. At this time James and his family were living at Old Hall, Broughton, Preston.
On 25 December 1824, whilst he was employed by Lord Derby on his Knowsley Estate, James married Elizabeth Bannerman at St Mary’s Church, Walton on the Hill, Liverpool. Elizabeth was the daughter of Ellen and Alexander Bannerman, who was also a Land Agent. The couple had two daughters, both born in Knowsley, Elizabeth, born 1826 and Ellen, born 1828. Their first son, James Alexander, was also born there in 1829, followed by another daughter, Jane, born 1831.
By 1833 James Fair had taken up his position on the Fylde estates. That same year his third daughter, Mary Catherine, was born and baptised 12 November 1833 at St John the Baptist Church, Broughton, Preston. His second son, Charles Bannerman Fair, born 1835, was also baptised at St John's on 9 January 1835. James continued to run these estates successfully until 1836 when he was offered a new post as Land Agent to the Clifton family in Lytham. Although the land was in a poor state and much work was required, he accepted the position; this was the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship between the Fair family and the Clifton family.
In line with many of the great landowners of the 18th century, Thomas Clifton attempted to improve his vast estate. Planting, draining and improving methods of cultivation resulted in raised rents. The increasing popularity of sea bathing and the wonderful stretch of golden sand, which Lytham then enjoyed, allowed for the possibility of developing the village into a thriving seaside resort. By this time nearby Blackpool had about 40 houses and a few hotels offering accommodation, with a number of developers interested in further schemes. No such problems existed in Lytham however, as the Clifton family owned all the land; the building of the future town was within the control of the estate. Nevertheless, successful management was paramount if the outcome was to be a pleasant and attractive place to live or take a seaside holiday. At this time the survey work on the estate was done by the village schoolmaster, Mr Benbow, but as the requests for plots grew, he found it increasingly difficult to cope with the workload and, as a result, James Fair was appointed to the position of Land Agent.
As Land Agent he had the extensive task of dealing with every problem that arose from the ownership of farms, town houses, the sea embankments, new plantations, new houses and the repair of old, collecting rents and keeping accounts. He was also responsible for Lytham Hall, the Clifton family residence, and was expected to act as intermediary between the squire and tenants, dealing with complaints, disputes and feuds.
The family settled in Dicconson Terrace, Lytham. On 6 August 1837 Thomas was born and was baptised at St Cuthbert’s Church, Lytham. A daughter, Charlotte Agnes Dixon, was born on 19 October 1839. The 1841 census recorded the Fairs as still living at Dicconson Terrace, with James' occupation given as Land Agent on the Clifton Estate. There were six children at this address, with Elizabeth and Ellen being recorded at a boarding school for young ladies in Widnes, Lancashire. The 1851 census recorded James and Elizabeth, with six of their children and three servants, residing at Warton Lodge, Lytham, part of the Clifton estate. James was recorded as a Farmer and Land Agent. The couple now had eleven children, three born in the ten years between the censuses; Emily Stretton, born 18 March 1843, Eleanor Cicely, born 31 August 1845 and Thomas Clifton, born 6 August 1846.
By the 1850s the most prestigious plots of land on the seafront had houses built on them. The Clifton estate then levelled land on the dunes west of the town and leased the sites for the building of Marine Villas. The first of these to be built was a large mansion called 'Fairlawn', which belonged to James Eden, an art connoisseur and friend and patron of artist, Richard Ansdell, who visited him on many occasions and was introduced to James Fair and the Clifton estate. Ansdell had been exhibiting paintings of Lytham since 1852 and no doubt these would have been painted during his stays at 'Fairlawn'. The paintability of the area, along with the friendship of James Eden and James Fair, encouraged Ansdell to lease land on which to build his summer house named 'Starr Hills', due to the quantities of Starr Grass that grew on the sandhills and along the coast. 'The 'Elms' and 'Edenfield', adjacent to 'Fairlawn', were the last residences, beyond them lay a wild stretch of sand dunes and common land. Many people said the artist was mad building a house so far away from civilisation but Ansdell wanted solitude to paint and to enjoy his growing family. The family first occupied the house in the summer of 1861.
James Fair was instrumental in the building of the Lytham to Blackpool Railway line. Work commenced in September 1861, just after Ansdell had moved into Starr Hills - the Preston and Wyre Railway had already been opened in 1846. A single line railway from Lytham to Blackpool was opened in 1863. A small railway halt was erected to the rear of Ansdell's house known - for want of a better landmark in the empty sandhills - as 'Ansdells Gate'. Eventually, the whole locality took the name of Ansdell. There was also a proposal to put a bridge over the line at this point but, due to Ansdell's protestations, this work was not carried out. His peace disturbed, Ansdell left the house in 1864 and built a new home near Loch Moy, Scotland.
During his time in Lytham, Ansdell was often found painting the horses in the stables at the Hall. The Red Cow painting, dated 1860,
may also have been painted there; possibly a favourite or prize-winning cow. At this time James Fair was organising and showing cattle in agricultural shows all over the county. By the time of the1861 census James and Elizabeth and two of their daughters, Mary Catherine and Eleanor Ciceley, who were both unmarried at that time, are recorded as living at East Beach, Lytham. James Fair qualified as a Magistrate in November 1865.
After his partial retirement from the Clifton estate in 1862, James Fair was succeeded by his son, Thomas Fair. James suffered from ill health and retreated to Harrogate to take the waters where, unfortunately, he died in 1871. He still retained his home on East Beach and was buried on 21 August 1871 in the family vault at St John's Church, Lytham. His family had expressed a wish for the funeral to be as private as possible but, wanting to show their appreciation for the work that James had done during the 40 or so years he had been in Lytham, the local Commissioners arranged to meet at the Market House in order to join the funeral cortege, along with many gentlemen who had also expressed a desire to pay their last respects. That morning, at half past eleven, the Chairman of the Commissioners gave the signal to fall in three abreast and in this order they proceeded through Clifton Square, along Central Beach and East Beach to the Fairs' residence, just a few yards from St John’s churchyard, where they opened out to let the cortege through.
REFERENCE
Kennedy, John, The Clifton Chronicle, pub Cambridge University Press, 1990
Evidence shows that by 1893 James Alexander was also taking an active part in the management of the Clifton estate, the third generation to do so. He held a special place in the affections of the Clifton family; after all the children of the two families had grown up together and each enjoyed the others' company. He was treated as a member of the Clifton family and enjoyed the stalking, shooting and lavish hospitality always afforded to their guests, especially evident at Rhidorroch, near Ullapool, their Scottish Estate. It was for this reason that, in the main, James dealt with all the Clifton family correspondence in preference to his father. Their familiarity allowed for a frankness on both sides, the Cliftons always addressing him as ‘Dear Jim’ or ‘My dear Jim’, in their letters. Differing points of view and disagreements, even stretching to sarcasm, can be identified in their correspondence, purely because of Fair’s frequent reminders of the need for economy. What was in no doubt was that the whole family knew and appreciated James’ ability and dedication regarding the management of the estate.
William Whinnerah became Land Agent with the retirement of James in 1919 and like his predecessors, the Fairs, acted as both confidante and advisor to all members of the Clifton family. James became a Trustee of the estate on his retirement.
James Alexander died in 1941 aged 77, his father, Thomas, in 1914. He donated three Ansdell paintings to the Lytham St Annes Art Collection, A Scottish Landscape with Stalkers, Dead Game, Pannier and Plaid and Red Cow. These paintings were originally bought directly from Richard Ansdell by his grandfather and would seem a fitting tribute to his father, Thomas, to mark the centenary of his birth in August 1837.
JAMES TROTTER FAIR (1803-1871)
James Fair was born in Hadelington, Berwickshire in 1803. James' father, William, originated from Fife but came to England with his family to take up a post as Land Agent to Sir Henry Bold Houghton of Houghton Tower, Preston. Whilst James was still a boy he was placed in the service of the Earl of Derby and in 1830, at the age of 26, took charge of the Earl's estates in the Fylde. At this time James and his family were living at Old Hall, Broughton, Preston.
On 25 December 1824, whilst he was employed by Lord Derby on his Knowsley Estate, James married Elizabeth Bannerman at St Mary’s Church, Walton on the Hill, Liverpool. Elizabeth was the daughter of Ellen and Alexander Bannerman, who was also a Land Agent. The couple had two daughters, both born in Knowsley, Elizabeth, born 1826 and Ellen, born 1828. Their first son, James Alexander, was also born there in 1829, followed by another daughter, Jane, born 1831.
By 1833 James Fair had taken up his position on the Fylde estates. That same year his third daughter, Mary Catherine, was born and baptised 12 November 1833 at St John the Baptist Church, Broughton, Preston. His second son, Charles Bannerman Fair, born 1835, was also baptised at St John's on 9 January 1835. James continued to run these estates successfully until 1836 when he was offered a new post as Land Agent to the Clifton family in Lytham. Although the land was in a poor state and much work was required, he accepted the position; this was the beginning of a long and fruitful relationship between the Fair family and the Clifton family.
In line with many of the great landowners of the 18th century, Thomas Clifton attempted to improve his vast estate. Planting, draining and improving methods of cultivation resulted in raised rents. The increasing popularity of sea bathing and the wonderful stretch of golden sand, which Lytham then enjoyed, allowed for the possibility of developing the village into a thriving seaside resort. By this time nearby Blackpool had about 40 houses and a few hotels offering accommodation, with a number of developers interested in further schemes. No such problems existed in Lytham however, as the Clifton family owned all the land; the building of the future town was within the control of the estate. Nevertheless, successful management was paramount if the outcome was to be a pleasant and attractive place to live or take a seaside holiday. At this time the survey work on the estate was done by the village schoolmaster, Mr Benbow, but as the requests for plots grew, he found it increasingly difficult to cope with the workload and, as a result, James Fair was appointed to the position of Land Agent.
As Land Agent he had the extensive task of dealing with every problem that arose from the ownership of farms, town houses, the sea embankments, new plantations, new houses and the repair of old, collecting rents and keeping accounts. He was also responsible for Lytham Hall, the Clifton family residence, and was expected to act as intermediary between the squire and tenants, dealing with complaints, disputes and feuds.
The family settled in Dicconson Terrace, Lytham. On 6 August 1837 Thomas was born and was baptised at St Cuthbert’s Church, Lytham. A daughter, Charlotte Agnes Dixon, was born on 19 October 1839. The 1841 census recorded the Fairs as still living at Dicconson Terrace, with James' occupation given as Land Agent on the Clifton Estate. There were six children at this address, with Elizabeth and Ellen being recorded at a boarding school for young ladies in Widnes, Lancashire. The 1851 census recorded James and Elizabeth, with six of their children and three servants, residing at Warton Lodge, Lytham, part of the Clifton estate. James was recorded as a Farmer and Land Agent. The couple now had eleven children, three born in the ten years between the censuses; Emily Stretton, born 18 March 1843, Eleanor Cicely, born 31 August 1845 and Thomas Clifton, born 6 August 1846.
By the 1850s the most prestigious plots of land on the seafront had houses built on them. The Clifton estate then levelled land on the dunes west of the town and leased the sites for the building of Marine Villas. The first of these to be built was a large mansion called 'Fairlawn', which belonged to James Eden, an art connoisseur and friend and patron of artist, Richard Ansdell, who visited him on many occasions and was introduced to James Fair and the Clifton estate. Ansdell had been exhibiting paintings of Lytham since 1852 and no doubt these would have been painted during his stays at 'Fairlawn'. The paintability of the area, along with the friendship of James Eden and James Fair, encouraged Ansdell to lease land on which to build his summer house named 'Starr Hills', due to the quantities of Starr Grass that grew on the sandhills and along the coast. 'The 'Elms' and 'Edenfield', adjacent to 'Fairlawn', were the last residences, beyond them lay a wild stretch of sand dunes and common land. Many people said the artist was mad building a house so far away from civilisation but Ansdell wanted solitude to paint and to enjoy his growing family. The family first occupied the house in the summer of 1861.
James Fair was instrumental in the building of the Lytham to Blackpool Railway line. Work commenced in September 1861, just after Ansdell had moved into Starr Hills - the Preston and Wyre Railway had already been opened in 1846. A single line railway from Lytham to Blackpool was opened in 1863. A small railway halt was erected to the rear of Ansdell's house known - for want of a better landmark in the empty sandhills - as 'Ansdells Gate'. Eventually, the whole locality took the name of Ansdell. There was also a proposal to put a bridge over the line at this point but, due to Ansdell's protestations, this work was not carried out. His peace disturbed, Ansdell left the house in 1864 and built a new home near Loch Moy, Scotland.
During his time in Lytham, Ansdell was often found painting the horses in the stables at the Hall. The Red Cow painting, dated 1860,
may also have been painted there; possibly a favourite or prize-winning cow. At this time James Fair was organising and showing cattle in agricultural shows all over the county. By the time of the1861 census James and Elizabeth and two of their daughters, Mary Catherine and Eleanor Ciceley, who were both unmarried at that time, are recorded as living at East Beach, Lytham. James Fair qualified as a Magistrate in November 1865.
After his partial retirement from the Clifton estate in 1862, James Fair was succeeded by his son, Thomas Fair. James suffered from ill health and retreated to Harrogate to take the waters where, unfortunately, he died in 1871. He still retained his home on East Beach and was buried on 21 August 1871 in the family vault at St John's Church, Lytham. His family had expressed a wish for the funeral to be as private as possible but, wanting to show their appreciation for the work that James had done during the 40 or so years he had been in Lytham, the local Commissioners arranged to meet at the Market House in order to join the funeral cortege, along with many gentlemen who had also expressed a desire to pay their last respects. That morning, at half past eleven, the Chairman of the Commissioners gave the signal to fall in three abreast and in this order they proceeded through Clifton Square, along Central Beach and East Beach to the Fairs' residence, just a few yards from St John’s churchyard, where they opened out to let the cortege through.
REFERENCE
Kennedy, John, The Clifton Chronicle, pub Cambridge University Press, 1990