REVEREND GEORGE STEWART HITCHCOCK 1866-1922 B.A. D.D. S.S.D.
illustration from The Vicar of Bray operawww.wikipedia.org
George Stewart Hitchcock links to my Pye family ancestry, he married a widowed Edith Louisa Miskin nee Pye in 1914. Edith was the youngest sister of Marian Pye, who I have previously written about under the theme 'Work'.
I have chosen to write about the Rev Hitchcock under the theme 'Changes' as he was a clerical man who changed his denomination no less than 4 times (3 different denomination) and is perhaps why in a newspaper obituary was described as a modern (c1922) 'Vicar of Bray'.
The Vicar
of Bray is a satirical description
of an individual fundamentally changing his principles to remain in
ecclesiastical office as external requirements change around him. The religious
upheavals in England from 1533 to 1559 and from 1633 to 1715 made it almost
impossible for any individual to comply with the successive religious requirements
of the state. A satirical 18th century song, "The Vicar of
Bray", recounts the career of a vicar of Bray, Berkshire, towards the end
of this period and his contortions of principle in order to retain his
ecclesiastic office despite the changes through the course of several monarchs
from Charles II to George I. A comic opera covers a later period in 18th
century history, while a film set in Bray, County Wicklow, in Ireland, covers
Charles I, the English Civil War, the Commonwealth of England, The Protectorate,
and restoration of Charles II.
www.wikipedia.org
George Stewart Hitchcock was the son of an Irish Gentleman, George Rock Hitchcock an his wife Fanny Margaret Mary nee Ryan, born in 1866 in Dublin.
The Belfast Newsletter has a family announcement for his birth.
HITCHCOCK- Oct 26 at 1 Percy Place, Dublin, the wife of George R Hitchcock, of a son. His father died in 1874
The University of London, student records indicate that George S. attended the Masonic Boys school in Ireland and entered London University in 1885 studying Intermediate Arts in 1887 and acheiving a B.A. in 1892.
The clergy list differs a little, indicating that George gained his BA in 1890 and was curate at Ballycultar, County Down 1890/1
On the 23rd Dec 1893 the Salisbury and Winchester Journal reported:-DIOSECAN APPOINTMENTS:- Rev. George Stewart Hitchcock BA to the curacy of Bridport.
St Mary Bridport Dorset. gravestone photographic resource
During his curacy there it appears George endeared himself with the parishoners of the church. There are numerous newspaper reports of him taking part in parish plays, the choir and the choir's football team, where he played as Goalkeeper.
On the 29th Jun 1894, the Bridport News published this article:-
However there does appear to have been some truth in the general gossip as the York Herald on the 9th November of that same year, 1894, reported:-
PREFERMENTS AND APPOINTMENTS. Rev George Stewart Hitchcock, BA, lately of curate of Bridport, Dorset, permission to officiate in the Diocese of Salisbury.
On leaving his curacy various elements of the parishoners gave gifts including the boys in the choir. Mr Stone was reported to have spoken on behalf of the boys when making the presentation of their gift, an ink stand, thanking him, George, for his 'loving care' and 'many acts of kindness,' noting that, 'Mr Hitchcock had done more for them than had ever been done before.
After leaving the curacy of Bridport, George's career went quite for a couple of years then on 27 Feb 1896 the London Evening Standard wrote:-
ECCLESIASTICAL APPOINTMENTS. Rev. G.S. Hitchcock, curate to St Pauls Chatham, Chaplain to the Medway Workhouse.
www.kenthistoryforum.co.uk Medway Workhouse
www.workhouses.org.uk
It was during this tenure that Rev. Hitchcocks work took on a more political stance.
On the 11th Dec 1896 the South Wales Daily News reported:-
Guardians and their Chaplain
There was an animated scene at the meeting of the Medway Guardians at Chatham on Wednesday. It arose from a report submitted in his report book by the Workhouse Chaplain, the Rev. G.S. Hitchcock, who alleged that the existing arrangements made it impossible for the officials to keep the children free of contact with persons of bad character. In the receiving wards, he said, the little girls were thrown in together with fallen women. Boys were placed in the receiving ward with adults. The accommodation in Ward 54 was 'morally unsuitable'; the groanings of the patients in an adjacent lunatic ward disturbed the work in the small ill-ventilated schoolroom; and the practice of compelling the children to take their meals with other inmates, amidst unwholesome pauper life surroundings, had a demoralising effect on the boys and girls. Having decided to exclude for three months the representatives of a local newspaper, which had published the purport of the chaplain's report before it had been officially before the board, the Guardians passed a resolution expressing their opinion that the chaplain had exceeded his duty in making suggestions indirectly as to the management and administration of the Workhouse. In the discussion which followed the chaplain defended the action he had taken. Asked if he were a 'Socialist' Mr Hitchcock replied that he had never said
so in the boardroom.
Mr Filley: You are not worthy to be our chaplain if you are a Socialist.
The Chaplain: You are not fit to be my Guardian if you insult me.
Mr Filley: You are a disgrace to your sex (laughter).
The Chaplain: My sex! I am a man (laughter)
Mr Filley: (with warmth) You are not a man. Would you do this if you were curate of St Pauls? They would kick you out of it.
Eventually Mr Hitchcock left the room.
Neither man appears to have covered themselves in glory in this altercation. Interestingly, the BBC have broadcast a new series of a House Through Time with historian David Olusoga. In the first episode of series 3, he addressed social reformists and the suspicions surrounding 'Socialism'.
In October 1898 numerous newspapers had the following report.
George did become Unitarian minister for Chatham and in July 1901 he was again in trouble, this time he was in court and bound over to keep the peace. This followed another incident involving the Medway Board of Guardians and an assault on Councillor Lamb.
Falkirk Herald 13 Jul 1901
Twitting a Minister
An Unexpected Blow.
An extraordinary (the Daily Telegraph states) was witnessed at the Medway Board of Guardians at Chatham yesterday. The Rev G S Hitchcock, Unitarian Minister, bought forward a motion for calling the attention of the Government of the increased expenditure upon the relief of the poor caused by the prolongation of the War in South Africa and wound up by suggesting that no doubt the parliamentary representatives of the ratepayers thought they were sufficiently compensated by the burning of farms and the manufacturing of prisoners of war out of women and children. The majority of the Guardians denied that there had been any increase in Poor Relief. The case was mentioned of the Lancashire Fusiliers, who departed from Chatham 1300 strong and lost half the regiment at Spion Kop. Their wives and families were left behind but not a single application for out relief had reached the Guardians. Councillors Lamb and Hart also contradicted other statements made by the Rev. gentleman.
Mr Hitchcock: I thank you for your compliments. I know too well the gentleman from the Reform Club to expect decency and order from them.
Great confusion ensued on this remark, several members protesting vigorously and Councillor Lamb declared that the gentlemen of the Reform Club had 'sent' Mr Hitchcock there.
The Chairman's attempt to restore order proved unsuccessful and the lady Guardians and others rose from their seats and began to leave, Mr Hitchcock declaring excitedly that he had a right to reply and he meant to be heard.
Councillor Lamb now took up a position nearer to Mr Hitchcock and renewed his references to the gentleman having turned around upon those who had secured his election 'You are not a man of principle' he added.
Mr Hitchcock warmly demanded a withdrawal of this remark and upon Councillor Lamb emphatically declining to comply with the request, the Rev. gentleman struck him a blow in his face with his fist, causing blood to flow. Councillor Lamb applied his handkerchief to his nose, and called attention of witnesses to the assault.
Mr Hitchcock: You said I was not a man of principle.
Councillor Lamb: And I say so again.
A Guardian humourously offered tickets for a local boxing tournament which had been advertised to take place. Councillor Lamb smiling replied that he had some boxing gloves at home but said he didn't expect a blow from a minister of religion.
It appears that George did heed his punishment for this event and there are no further reports for him until 1903.
Yorkshire Evening Post 8 May 1903
There are reports that he was studying with a Jesuit order, however the next document I could find was the 1911 census. George is now a Roman Catholic priest, one of 2 curates working and living with Father Paul Lynch (rector), a student and 3 female domestic servants at Our Lady of Ransom, in Eastbourne.
www.wikipedia.org
Bexhill on Sea Observer 15 Apr 1911
On face value this appears a somewhat random exercise, but another article, a month later, again in the Croydon Times (25th March 1914)
Edith O'Gorman was born in Ireland in 1842, emigrated to the USA in 1848 and joined the Sister of Charity order at St Josephs Convent in Hudson City. In 1868 she left the order, or in her words. 'escaped' By 1869 she married a Frenchman, William Charles Auffray. In 1871 she published Convent Life Unveiled- The Trials and Persecutions of Miss Edith O'Gorman. She began giving Anti Catholic lectures, recounting her own experiences within the Convent. In 1880, the family moved to London and she continued with her lectures.
It was at this reported lecture that the Chairman, Mr W T Taylor, the local Wickliffe preacher, stated that the meeting was taking place in response to the Chaplain of Sanderstead Convent, George Stewart Hitchcock's responses to a previous meetings given by Mr Kensit (John Kensit, the founder of the Wickliffe preachers had died in 1902 and this would likely to have been his son, John Alfred. The Wickliffe preachers were formed to preach 'biblical truths' and awaken people to the spiritual dangers of the day.) In response to the Kensit meeting, George had written within the Croydon Times relating to Sanderstead Convent:- 'Is it not time that this persecution of these defenceless women cease.' Hence the invitation to the three ladies identified within the letter, to visit the Convent.
Despite being invited to the meeting George had declined to attend. Which was addressed in the closing statement of the Chairman after the meeting....
Once again George was in trouble with his established church. The West Sussex Gazette on 25th Jun 1914 reported.
SANDERSTEAD
The Rev G S Hitchcock, the genial chaplain of the convent school, and active controversialist, has been threatened with suspension by the Roman Catholic Bishop of Southwark unless he submits his newspaper correspondence for the previous approval of his Lordship. Dr Hitchcock has lately been writing on theological questions in the Perss of his denomination and has been criticised for his efforts to promote study of the Bible. He also wrote very piquantly in the local Press on the inspection of convents question.
It would appear that George or the Roman Catholic church severed their ties not long after this report as on 14th November 1914, The Kent Messenger and Gravesend Telegraph had this article.
George had returned to Chatham and the Unitarian Church. Somewhere along the way he had met Edith Miskin, nee Pye, perhaps she was one of the ladies that had been invited to the convent. Nonetheless the Kent Messenger and Gravesend Telegraph of 2nd Jan 1915, confirmed their marriage.
FROM ROMAN TO FREE CATHOLICISM
Few more brilliant pulpit personalities have visited Birmingham than the Rev.G.S. Hitchcock DD SSS who is announced in our columns to preach the anniversary sermons at the Old Meeting Church, Bristol St, tomorrow. Dr Hitchcock is an ex-Jesuit priest and of the most scholarly accession to the Free Catholic movement.
He graduated as Doctor of Divinity in Rome in 1909, and in the following year he took the diploma of Doctor of Sacred Scripture a distinction held by less than a dozen men in the whole world. Pope Pius X. personally presented him with his Holiness's medallion. Dr Hitchcock has published a number of scholarly works whose excellence was recognised by both Roman and Anglican theologian.
He has contributed extensively to the publication of the Catholic Truth Society and these are still being circulated.
Why He Left Rome.
In 1914, Dr Hitchcock's advanced views bought him under ecclesiastical suspicion and restrictions were imposed on his correspondence which he could not accept, and he was thereupon suspended. He then sought a freer sphere and is now a frequent contributer to 'The Free Catholic' the monthly organ edited by the Rev, JM Lloyd Thomas, the minister of the Old Meeting Church. He contributes and article on the Developments of the Sacraments in the March issue.
It will be of interest to the Birmingham University to know that Dr Hitchcock is a brother in law of Dr Founier d'Albe the inventor of the optophone to enable the blind to read ordinary print. In the morning Dr Hitchcock will preach on .The Principles of Religions Progress' and in the afternoon on 'The Marks of the True Church'.
There is indication that George continued to preach his religious ideas with newspaper advertisements of such events. However on the 10th July 1922, George Stewart Hitchcock, died at home. His probate record shows an estate of £1350.
The Dundee Evening Telegraph, 13th July 1922.
Title: Obituary Notices : Fellows :- Lambert, Carlton
John
Journal: Monthly Notices of the
Royal Astronomical Society, Vol. 83, p.244
Bibliographic Code: 1923MNRAS..83..2
Bibliographic Code: 1923MNRAS..83..2
There is an error in the death place in the obituary.
www.unitarianhistory.org give this precis of George's theological career.
HITCHCOCK
George Stewart. Dublin, University of Rome, BA, DD, Doctor of Sacred Scripture.
(Anglican). Min 1898-1903 at Chatham. Catholic priest 1910-1914. Min 1914-1916
at Chatham. D 10 July 1922 at Strood ae 53. I: 1922, 452. * 1923.
This is a list of some of the pamphlets and publications that George Stewart Hitchcock wrote:-
1898 The King of the Jews A poem
1899 In Rebel Moods poems
1908 The Religion of modern Judaism
1908 The Religion of the Hebrew Bible
1909 Sermon Delivery, a method for students
1910 The Religion of Unitarianism
1911 A Pilgrim of Eternity. The story of a Unitarian
Minister
1911 The Beasts of the Little Horn (of St Johns Apocalypse)
1913 The Epistle to
the Ephisians. An encyclical of St Paul.
1914 The Godhead of Jesus. Advent Sermons
In 1925, George's widow, Edith donated his library, of approx 1500 volumes, mostly books on theology and philosophy, to the University of London Library.
Unfortunately despite George's career and notoriety, I have been unable to find a photograph or portrait of him. However I am indebted to Amy Johnson Crow, for providing the prompt of 'change' within her 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks exercise. Obviously I was aware that George Stewart Hitchcock appearred to change his religion like some change their suits, but in writing this blog I had the opportunity to review all the information I could find for him. What a fascinating man he has turned out to be.
It seems your Rev. Hitchcock changed religions to remain true to his principles, unlike the Vicar of Bray who changed for political or personal gain. I imagine Rev. Hitchcock suffered financially, and possibly personally, for the changes he made. Thank you for sharing this interesting profile.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your continued interest in my blog posts. I would not disagree with your comment regarding, the press, likening Rev Hitchcock's to the Vicar of Bray. I am also aware that before researching his story in more detail, I had a preconceived idea of how I felt about him. Throughout the more detailed research process I waxed and waned as to these judgements. I would like to think, that as you say, he was a principled man, but I have underlining niggles. Not least, I think, that so soon after leaving the Catholic Church, he was engaged to be married. Edith Miskin, nee Jay, was a woman of means, her husband had left her well provided for and she received further significant inheritances from her father and siblings. However I believe Edith would have had the ability to make a judgement about the Reverend, so as you can see, I still have arguements with myself on this subject.
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