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| Portrait of Rev. J.T. Becher (from Wikipedia) |
The portrait was hanging in Mrs G.V. Becher's house in Southwell when she died in early 1970 (Note 1). As she was the widow of JTB's direct descendant (Note 2), the picture had in all likelihood been passed down the generations of this distinguished Southwell family.
A few months after Mrs Becher's death the Minster owned the portrait. They had sent it to be hung at Hill House in Southwell (Note 3). Hill House, which had been JTB's own home, was at that time a boarding house for the Minster [Grammar] School. (Note 4).
There can be very little doubt that the portrait was given to Southwell Minster by Mrs Becher's daughters (Note 5), the last representatives of that family, very shortly after their mother's death, i.e. between March and June 1970.
Subsequently the National Trust has opened the Workhouse, and Southwell Minster has lent the portrait to be displayed there. The Bechers would be pleased.
But I think it would be nice if the National Trust and Southwell Minster between them would give information about the provenance of the portrait and say something specific about how it was given by JTB's descendants. I have been in correspondence with both organisations.
It would also be nice if Artuk would pick up on this, although they cannot be expected to change the details they display unless Southwell Minster so requests.
Perhaps a few people will google the question, and find this information.
And/or if Southwell Minster or the National Trust, or anyone else, provides any relevant information, I will update or correct this as appropriate.
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* In Ireland, I think. The timing is based on his being 18 when he matriculated in 1788, and being admitted to Lincoln's Inn that year, whilst still a student. I think he had been brought up in England.
Note 1. "An oil painting of Reverend John Thomas Becher" 30 x 24 inches. Probate Valuation by Walker, Walton & Hanson dated 17 March 1970 (Notts Archives). The house was called Popely's Piece. It was hard by the Minster, in Bishop's Drive. Mrs Becher had moved there from a house in Church Street, called Minster Lodge.
Note 2. Major John Pickard Becher 1880-1916. He died on 1 Jan. 1916, from wounds received.
Note 3. Letter of 19 June 1970 from the Headmaster to Mrs Beaumont (Notts Archives).
Note 4. Also in the 1920s and 1930s the home of Archdeacon & Mrs Hacking, my great-grandparents!
Note 5. Mary Veronica Becher (Mrs Beaumont - she died in 1997 and I was her executor), and Joan (Margaret Joan) Becher who died in 1995. Their only brother Squadron Leader John Henry Becher was killed in Yemen in 1940. Neither Mary nor Joan had children. Mary's husband was my uncle.
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| Wedding of R.M. Beaumont and Miss Mary V. Becher (inter alia) - the Groom and Bride (standing, centre), Miss Joan Becher (standing, right side as viewed), Mrs Gertrude V. Becher (seated, right side as viewed) Mrs Edith Beaumont (nee Hacking) (seated, left side) EMB (seated on ground) In the garden of Minster Lodge, Church Street, Southwell 30 May 1960 |
General Notes:
The Nottinghamshire Archives items are held as Accession No. 8454. I deposited them there in 2013. I looked at them there in August 2018.
The Dean and Chapter are the present day successors of the Provost and Chapter of Southwell Minster, to whom the picture was given.
The National Trust eventually said to me:-
...... our arrangement regarding the loan of the portrait is direct with The Minster and we have to adhere to how they wish things to be acknowledged etc as per our agreement with them. (Alison Mitchelson, East Midlands Collections Registrar, to EMB 7 Nov. 2018)
I don't have any substantive response from Southwell Minster, following my having first written to them in November 2018 and followed up several times. I hope to be able to add something, depending on what if anything they do say.
EMB
30 January 2019
