James# GEORGE-POWELL M.I.C.E.

  General Notes:

James George-Powell was born into a farming family in Clodock, Herefordshire in 1862. He was raised on the family farm, but by the age of 18 in 1881 he was listed in the census as a Farm Worker at the house of his uncle, James Williams (a Farm Baliff), in Whitchurch (Cardiff). My suspicion is that he was actually in some sort of further education at this time, possibly working for his lodgings with his Uncle. Either that or he was academically a late starter, but presumably it was sometime in this period that he was "educated at Neville College, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire where he received a special training in the profession of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Surveying.". Possibly his education was partly financed by the sale of the family farm, although this is unclear.
From 1884 to 1888 he was "articled under Mr.William Paramore Hole of Crowther's Hall, Welshpool, N Wales (late County Main Road Surveyor of Mongomeryshire)." In March 1888 he was appointed Assistant Engineer and Surveyor to the Borough Council of Montgomery, and also Assistant Engineer and Surveyor to the Pool and Forden District Highway Board. In Feb 1895 he was appointed Engineer and Surveyor to the Rural District Council of Pocklington, East Yorkshire, and it was whilst in this position that he met his first wife, Alice Maude Grant, daughter of the successful local Architect and Builder, Thomas Grant (who was Chairman of the Urban District Council!). Indeed it is possible that he left the Pocklington job (before he got married) due to the potential conflict of interest?
In May 1896 he was appointed Engineer and Surveyor to the Rural District Council of Godstone, and also assistant Surveyor of The Surrey County Council main roads. On the 29th of Sept 1897 he was one of two selected for the post of County Surveyor to Midlothian County Council, but "due to a family bereavement" (perhaps his mother?) he was prevented from attending the meeting of the Council on the day the appointment was made. In 1901 he was still in Surrey, but he was eventually appointed County Architect, Engineer and Surveyor of Wiltshire (sometime after 1905 and before 1910), which position he held until his retirement to Weston super Mare.
He was an early expert of the effect on roads of the motor car and his professional opinion seems to have been widely sought, not only in the UK, but also in places such as Denmark and Australia. He was engaged to prepare plans and give evidence before Committees of the House of Lords, Court of Appeal, and King's Bench on highway matters.
His first wife died in 1909 and two years later he married Gwen Williams, who remained in Weston super Mare for some time after James' death, before eventually moving back to Bath. James built up quite a portfolio of property during his life, both from his first wives family in Pocklington, and also several properties in and around Bath as well as his last home in Weston super Mare.
He was apparantely a Freemason, and possibly also an 'Esquire' in The Order of St John.

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Birth certificate (not a copy I have obtained but copy found with Tom's possessions so definately the right person) says 4th July 1862, Clodock, Newton, Hereford. Father George Powell (Farmer of Newton), mother Mary Ann Powell nee Williams.
Clodock is quite some way from Newton, not sure I really understand that. However in the Hereford CRO PR's Llanveynoe, Newton, Crasswall and Longtown ALL say 'see Clodock'.

Found bapt (Ewyas Lacy FHS); St.John's, Newton; 1862, Powell, James George son of George and Mary Ann of Newton. Can't find this in Hereford CRO; for Newton it says "see Clodock" - but can't find a bapt in Clodock.

Summary of the trail, there are some slight inconsitencies on his age, but is correct;
1871;Age;8 POB; Clodock, Herefordshire, Living; Llanveynoe
1881;?Age;18 POB; Newton, Herefordshire, Living; Whitchurch (father etc visiting)
1891;Age;26(?) POB;Clodock, Herefordshire, Living; Newton, Montgomeryshire
1901;Age;36(?) POB;Newton, Herefordshire
Llanveynoe, Newton and Clodock are all within 3 miles of each other.
Different PoB's but all close together sometimes is showing the district, others the town, others the parish. But to be honest this IS confusing - if look in Hereford CRO's it says for Newton, Longtown, Craswall and Llanveynoe - "see Clodock"!! Suspect he has slowly manipulated his age (downwards) for professional reasons - possibly to 'cover up' time spent working on his Uncles farm. We know '71 and '81 are correct (cos of parents being with him) and we know that '01 is correct (cos know this address and Katherine and 'George-Powell' and Grant connection) - there is vague possibility that '91 could be the wrong person - but he was working in Montgomeryshire at that time (according to his CV).

1871 Census; Age 8, living at Lower Cwm, Llanveynoe with parents and siblings. Birthplace listed as Clodock.

1881 Census; Age 18. Working as Farm Servant at Great House Farm, Whitchurch, Llandaff, Cardiff Union, Glamorgan. Father and siblings (but not mother) were visitors on census night. He is listed as James Powell. Head of Household is James Williams (Farmer age 43) - this is his Uncle (his mothers brother). Slightly odd that he is sandwiched between the other Powells who were all visitors, but he was 'Farm servant'.

1891 Welsh census (age 26) living as Lodger in 29 something Road, Newton, Montgomeryshire.Occupation given as Clerk something. Marital status; single. On here his birthplace is given as Clodock, Herefordshire. Gives name as 'James George Powell'. Doesn't speak Welsh ! If this is him 'Clerk' doesn't really tally with being Assistant Engineer & Surveyor - but at least it's the right county.

Yorkshire Gazette; 2nd March 1895; District & Rural Councils; Pocklington; Mr F Powell (sic) of Welshpool, has been elected the Surveyor of Highways. There are 300 miles of roads in the district and 42 parishes. There were 118 candidates.

Road Preservation and Dust Prevention 1908 Pg 108 "In 1894 and 1895 J. George-Powell, now engineer of the Godstone district, near London, built tar- macadam roads in Pocklington, East Yorkshire, near York, ..."

Eventually found marriage on ancestry - Powell, James George, Pocklington Q1 1897 Pg 108 Vol 9d. Note NOT George-Powell ! Alice Maud Grant cross-matches.

1901 census (age 36) living at The Rowans, Bletchingley, Surrey as head of the household. Occupation; Civil Engineer. Also living at this address at this time were wife Alice Maud (aged 29), daughter Katherine May Grant G Powell (aged 3), 2 x visitors viz; Mary Anne Grant (aged 27, single) and Robert Ed Triffett (aged 42, married, Assistant Supervisor in the Revenue) and a servant (Sarah Cook (aged 18)). Triffet married one of Alice's sisters.

1903; 'The Builder' reference to J. George-Powell, Civil Engineer, Godstone

Is listed in 'Early Motor Vehicle Registrations in Wiltshire' thus;
Pg 15; AM-112 (I) (2) 6 Feb 1919 - James George Powell, Highfield, Winsley, Bradford-on-Avon. 20hp Hupmobile; coupe, dark green, black hood, about 17cwt, private.
Pg 344; 5 May 1916 James George Powell, The Croft, Bradford-on-Avon.
Not sure what the second reference is about, the first one seems to be that he had the registration AM-112 on the car shown from the date shown, it previously having been with someone else.
Can't find 'The Croft' but details of Highfield, Winsley shown in George-Powell 'annexe'.

1909; Proceedings By Institution of Municipal Engineers (Great Britain); "1902 Feb 22 (date of membership I would think) George-Powell J, County Surveyor, Wiltshire, Trowbridge"

1909; Industrial Engineering and the Engineering Digest ; Reference to "J. George Powell. Surveying & House Wld. Nov. 25, 1911. 2 figs. 1300 w. 40c. 1458. Surface Treatment for Dust Lay-ing and Road Preservation"

1911 Census; Living as head (age 45 or 48, PoB Newton, Herefordshire) at Rutland House, Trowbridge, Wilts (house has 10 rooms), with second wife Gwen, son Thomas and servant Louisa Smith, Katharine not there (boarding school in Brighton). Indexed as 'George'!. Married under 1 year (children column shows 2 but then obviously realised it said of current marriage so crossed out). Occupation; County Architect, Engineer and Surveyor, Wilts County Council. He has signed as 'J George Powell', although Gwen shown as 'Powell' rather than 'George Powell'. Rutland House is now a care home for learning difficulties, sometimes referred to as Rutland House Hostel, interestingly it is run by the Order of St John!

Bibliography of Road-Making and Roads in the United Kingdom By Dorothy Ballen mentions; Powell (J George) ; Road maintenance problems (in Wiltshire). Surveyor, Aug 23, 1912.

1923; Minutes of proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers, Volume 218; The following candidates has been duly elected as Member ; James George Powell.

Later;
Had assorted houses in Wiltshire, many still owned by him after moving out and they were let out. In Bath specifically had properites at Henrietta Street and Upper Oldfield Street. Both passed down the family until sold in late 1970's - in fairly derelict condition.
At time of death was living at Oakbank, South Road, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset.

Minutes of Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers (pub 1937) contains the text "James George Powell"
he is also mentioned in 'Justice of the Peace' (pub 1927) - "James George Powell, engineer and surveyor of the rural district of Godstone.........."

Snippet on an obit; Journal of the Institution of Municipal Engineers, Volume 75 (1948) "Mr J George-Powell (Member 1902). Aged 86, Mr.James George-Powell died at Weston-super-Mare on September 21st. Mr Powell was educated at Neville College, Abergavenny. From 1884 to 1887 he served his articles to ....."
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=7OYmAQAAIAAJ&q=%22james+george-powell%22&dq=%22james+george-powell%22&hl=en&ei=ignoS4-2M4SMmwOVkoHVBA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=5&ved=0CEkQ6AEwBA

Will dated 6th Sept 1948, proved 12th Nov 1948 in the Winchester(?) District Probate Registry.

Have vesting assent for "Spring Cottage", Millington, Pocklington "bounded by the Village Street on or towards the North by property of the Vicar of Millington on the South and West and be premises now or late of William BRIGHAM on the East formerly in the occupation of Mr William PALFREYMAN but now of Mrs.Brown".
Grant servant in one of the past census (71) was a PALFREYMAN and BRIGHAM married one of the Grant sisters (Lucy). This document is after his death (from his executors to Thomas James George-Powell). The document is between Gwendoline Maud George Powell (2nd wife), Elizabeth Martha Perkins (of Kynance Easton-in-Cardano, Somerset ?? - executor?) and Thomas - collectively the 'Personal Representatives' and Thomas ("the tenant for life"). So it appears that the executors (inc. Thomas) are giving the property to Thomas.

Looking through assorted papers of rates, taxes, rents etc. I think the 'Pocklington Properties' were thus (values and rents from summary document with no date on it);
a.4 x Freehold dwellings No 9, 10, 13 and 15, Church Lane, Chapmangate, Pocklington. Let @ £48.15, Est Value £750.
b.2 x Freehold cottages at Chapmangate, Pocklington. Let @ £55.18.0. pa. Est value £800.
c.4 x Freehold Cottages at 1,2,3 & 4 Millington. Let @ £24.10.0 pa. Est Value £300.
4.Freehold Cottage "Spring Villa" (presum same as Spring Cott. above), Millington. Let @ £5.15spa. Est Value £150
d.Freehold Cottage "The Villa" Let @ £9pa, est value £250.
Although probably there were more properties.

Preservation of Road Surfaces J.George Powell 'Surveying and House Wld' Nov 25 1911 2 figs 1300 words.

Bibliography of Road-Making and Roads in the United Kingdom, 1914. Pg 86 "Bill to amend the Highway Act, 1835. 1912 [Commons Surveyor, Aug. 9, 1912. Powell (J. George) Road maintenance problems [in Wiltshire]. ....."

Road Preservation and Dust Prevention by William Pierson Judson states "In 1894 and 1895 J.George-Powell, now engineer of the Godstone district, near London, built tarmacadam roads in Pocklington, East Yorkshire, near York, which roads were still in good condition ten years after. In 1905, being still interested in tar construction, Mr.Powell made a drive of 1200 miles through the nine counties north of London, and found many tar-macadam roads, some many years old, and some recently built, and all of them were noticeable for their comparative freedom from dust and mud. The workmen employed upon them gave replies indicating considerable decrease ....... "

Motor Transport magazine 1921, Pg 145 "According to a newspaper report, Mr. J. Geo. Powell, the Wiltshire County Surveyor, states in his annual report that the heavy motor traffic is responsible for the great increase in the cost of road maintenance in Wiltshire. He suggests that the roads should have been made capable off carrying it by a grant from the Imperial Fund before such traffic was allowed on them. Mr.Powell is of the opinion that the heavy motor vehicle does more harm to the road surface than the traction engine. Unfortunately however we are xxxxxxx the facts upon which he hangs his opinion"

From a2a.org.uk; In the Wiltshire & Swindon Records Office;
WILTSHIRE QUARTER SESSIONS
Catalogue Ref. A1
Highways plans - ref. A1/524
FILE - Second edition of Andrews and Dury's printed map of Wiltshire - ref. A1/524/2MS - date: 1810. Originally surveyed in 1773, revised and corrected in 1810. Roman roads and other ancient features added due to the influence in its publication of Rich. Colt Hoare. Rebound and owned by George Powell, County Surveyor of Wiltshire, 1910.

After the death of Alice Maud, James married Gwendoline 'Gwen' Williams, who died in the late 60's/early 70's, she eventually left Weston Super Mare and moved back to yet another house in Bath. Eventually found the Marriage; James G Powell and Gwendoline M Williams, Q2 1911, Melksham, Wilts. Reference is Vol 5a (MIGHT be 6a), Pg 227. Might be interesting to see who the witnesses were, but low priority.


Newspaper clipping (presumably) mid-forties supplied by Jane Harris "The late Miss F.E.C. Smith, Funeral at St Michael's Cemetery, Bath. The funeral took place on Monday afternoon of Miss F.E.C.Smith, who passed away suddenly in her sleep at a Bath nursing home on February 13th. ....... After cremation, the ashes, in a small casket, were brought back to Bath and interred in St Michael's Cemetery, in the same grave in which only a month ago Mrs Gabriel Williams of 33 Pulteney Street was buried. Miss Smith had lived with Mrs Williams for 49 years, starting as nurse to a large family and ending as a dearly loved friend. The funeral party started from 22 Henrietta Street, where Miss Smith was to have resided with Mrs J George-Powell, a daughter of Mrs. Williams. Present at the interment, at which the Rev. R Cameron officiated were Mr and Mrs J George-Powell, Miss George-Powell, Mr.T.George-Powell, Mr.P.Williams, Mrs.J.Smith (sister-in-law), Mr J Smith (great nephew), Miss D Williams, Miss Wilson, Mrs.T.W.Marshall, Mrs.Janes and Miss Wilkie. Flowers were by the following:- To my darling Smithie in memory of a life-time of devotion from Gwen George-Powell; in affectionate memory of my dear old friend "Smithie", from J.George-Powell; to dearest Miss Smith with love from Katie and Tom ..... " etc.. One of the other names further down the list of flowers are
'Lydia and Pierpont Williams' MTGP remembers reference to a Pierrepoint Williams. Lydia (nee Steer) is Jane Harris' gran.
and
'Mr and Mrs Ganderton' who MTGP thinks worked with either James or Tom .
Furthermore Jane states "My mother has memories of Tom driving Aunt Gwen to see her brother (my mother's father) in Somerset when she was a young girl. My mum was born in 1933 and so I have a feeling that this must have been during the War. My mum was very close to her Aunt Gwen and was even named after her."



According to Tom, James was a freemason.

London Gazette; In March 1900 a James George Powell was appointed 'Esquire' (the lowest rank) in the 'Grand Priory of the Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem in England' aka The Order of St John. Not sure if this is him or not, probably not, have emailed the Order for clarification, but no reply.

Civil Engineering and Public Works Review , pub 1973
Reference to Mr.J.G.Powell M.I.C.E., formerly County Surveyor of Wiltshire.

1905 CV (more like a pamphlet - professional printed in Oxted, presumably just before Wilts job). It is 24 pages, excluding cover. Highlights follow;
Front page; A synopsis of the professional career of Mr.J.George-Powell. Member of the Incorporated Association of Municipal and County Engineers(Lond.). Member of the Archaeological Society(?!?). Assistant Surveyor Surrey County Counil Main Roads. Engineer & Surveyor to the Rural District Council of Godstone.
Page 2;Professional Career.
Education & Training; Mr JG-P who is 38 years of age (HOW if this is 1905 and he was born in 1862?!?!), was educated at Neville College, Abergavenny, Monmouthshire where he received a special training in the profession of Civil Engineering, Architecture and Surveying.
Pupilage; He served his pupilage articled under Mr.William Paramore Hole, MICE, FSI of Crowther's Hall, Welshpool, N Wales (late County Main Road Surveyor of Mongomeryshire, and also Engineer and Surveyor to the Borough Council of Montgomery). The term of his pupilage with Mr.Hole was from March 1884 to March 1888.
Qualifications; He is a certificated Member of the Incorporated Association of Municipal and County Engineers (Lond) and also a member of the Archaeological Society.
APPOINTMENTS (1&2) In March 1888 Mr G-P was appointed Assistant Engineer and Surveyor to the Borough Council of Montgomery, and also Assistant Engineer and Surveyor to the Pool and Forden District Highway Board, which office he held until Feb 1895. The total mileage of roads in the districts named was 341, number of bridges 57, culverts 389, number of men employed 153 and contractors 59. He prepared plans, specifications and estimates for 12 new bridges (3 girder, 4 brick and 5 stone structures) varying in cost from £50 to £1,600, all the work being carried out under his supervision.
APPOINTMENT (3) In Feb 1895 Mr G-P was appointed (unanimously out of 180 applicants) Engineer and Surveyor ro the Rural District Council of Pocklington, East Yorkshire. This district comprised 49 parishes, mileage of roads 324, number of bridges 31, culverts 243, men employed 127, contractors 73. Although Mr.G-P's stay with this council was short, very great improvements were carried out. It was with great regret that his resignation was accepted, as per tesimonals on page 4. His resignation was due entirely to the fact that he had obtained a more lucrative appointment in the county of Surrey.
APPOINTMENT (4);; In May 1896 he as appointed Engineer and Surveyor to the Rural District Council of Godstone, and also assistant Surveyor of The Surrey County Council main roads in that district, which office he now holds. Owing to the importance of the district, being only 18 miles from London, no less than 220 applicants applied for the appointment; it is gratifying to know that out of that number Mr.G-P was unanimously elected. The district being in close proximity to London - in fact, some part within the metropolitan area - makes the work of an Engineer and Surveyor very heavy and exacting; constantly there are plans, specifications, and estimates being prepared for road and bridge improvements on a large scale.
(Pg2) When Mr G-P took office in 1896 the county main roads were costing £140 per mile pa to up-keep, in 3 years the cost was reduced, through his management, to £101 per mile pa. Although a reduction of £39 per mile pa was effected by him; the roads were improved and are now in a first-class state of repairs (see County Surveyors Testimonial Page 3). Mr.G-P has under his direct charge 204 miles of road, 44 bridges, 288 culverts, 134 road men, 12 men with steam rollers, 15 quarry men and 43 contractors. He has planned and carried out a great amount of work which has effected a great improvement in all parts of this district, invariably within his estimate and to the entire satisfaction of the County and District councils.
MIDLOTIAN COUNTY COUNCIL; On the 29th day of Sept 1897 Mr.G-P was one of two selected (out of 97 applicants) for the post of County Surveyor to the above named council. Owing to a family bereavement he was prevented from attending the meeting of the Council on the day the appointment was made.
EXPERT; Mr.G-P's advice on Road and Bridge Work is generally sought after, not only in the county of Surrey, but throughout the kingdom, Denmark and Australia (see extracts from letters page 20 to 23). He is often engaged to prepare plans and give evidence before Committees of the House of Lords, Court of Appeal, and King's Bench on highway matters, morever his is engaged by Councils on matters of extraordinary traffic, rights of way, encrochments etc.
From the foregoing it will be seen that Mr.G-P has had more than 21 years experience of Road and Bridge engineering, together with other structural work, with the following average personal supervision annually for that period; mileage of road 290; number of bridges 44, culverts 306, men 147, contractors 65. Appended are copies of letters bearing testimony to Mr.G-P's qualifications, together with Extracts from the Press, etc.
TESTIMONIALS
There is then 5.5 pages of testimonials from the following (year is year testimonial given);
Rt Hon Lord Herries (Chairman Main Roads & Bridges, East Riding CC) 1899
George D.Harrison (Clerk of the Pool & Forden Highway Board) 1895
Trevor Wheller Calverley-Rudston J.P. (Chairman Pocklington RDC) 1903
Frank Howell (County Surveyor, Surrey CC) 1903
William Paramore Hole (Surveyor for Forden, Chirbury, Caersws & Llanfyllin RDCs) 1895
Israel Kelsey (Chairman) & Thomas Robson (Clerk) Pocklington RDC 1896
Capt.Devereux H. Mytton (Chairman Pool & Forfen Highway Board) 1895
Henry Byass (Member Highways & Bridges Comm. East Riding CC) 1897
Lt-Col H.A.Barclay MVO,DL,JP (Chairman Godstone RDC) 1904
Henry Sydney Powell (Chairman Highways& Bridges Comm, Pocklington RDC) 1897
R.B.Lambert (Member Highways Comm & Councillor, City of York) 1903
George Snook (Surveyor, Corp. of Welshpool) 1897
G.A.Hutchins (County Surveyor of Montgomeryshire) 1895
S.H.Wright (late member Godstone RDC) 1902
Uvedale Lambert JP (Member Surrey CC, Mem Highways Comm. Godstone RDC) 1905
F.Cobham (Member Surrey CC, Member Godstone RDC) 1905
Arthur S Daniel JP (Chairman Godstone RDC, Mem.Highways Comm) 1905
Then follows 11.5 pages of 'EXTRACTS FROM THE PRESS";
Daily Telegraph 19.5.05 "This Road Problem" Gives figures on and methods for preventing dust on Highways.
Sussex Gazette 4.2.05 "Fighting The Dust Fiend" similar to above
The County Post 3.2.05 "The Up-Keep of Roads, a Proposed Experiment". Improved usage of tarmac.
The Auto Car 1.4.05 "Tar-Macadamised Roads" Report on Road making and up-keep.
Surrey Mirror 3.2.05; article about dust proof roads.
The Journal 23.5.05; "Tar-Macadam" similar to above.
The People 9.4.05; "The World Of Wheels - Motoring, Tar-Mac Roads". Report on up keep and maintenance of roads.
The Surveyor & County Engineer 17.2.05; "Tar-macadam Proposals". Improvements in Tarmac.
The County Council Times & Local Government Review Feb 05;"Road Making and Up Keep - An Interesting Report". Road improvments.
Journal Gas Lighting & Water Supply Jun 05 "Tar-Macadam For Road Making". His road improvement ideas (tar being byproduct of gas!).
Then there are 4 pages of "EXTRACTS FROM LETTERS" from, amongst others;
The City Engineer, Copenhagen, Denmark
The Clerk, Easter Ross District Committee (who wants "half-an-hour next week, if I run down to Godstone"!!!)
The Town Clerk, Adelaide, S.Australia
Clerk of the Urban District of Northwich
The Surveyor, Leigh RDC
The Surveyor, Burley-in-Wharfedale UDV
The Chairman, Sutton UDC
The Surveyor, Wilton RDC
The Surveyor, Stowmarket UDC
Thw Automobile Mutual Protection Association Ltd.
The Surveyor, Dorking UDC
Sharpness New Docks & Gloucester & Birmingham Navigation Co.
.... mainly asking for copies of his "Report on Road-making" which is "a substantial document, covering in print, with the Tables, some 21 foolscap pages" (according to the Journal Gas Lighting report).

James# married Alice Maude# GRANT, daughter of Thomas# GRANT J.P. and Mary Anne# DAX, Q1 1897 in Pocklington, East Riding. (Alice Maude# GRANT was born on 15 Sep 1871 in Union Street, Pocklington, East Riding, christened on 7 Oct 1871 in Pocklington, East Riding and died Q1 1909 in Godstone, Surrey.)

James# next married Gwendoline 'Gwen' Maud WILLIAMS Q2 1911 in Melksham, Wilts. (Gwendoline 'Gwen' Maud WILLIAMS was born in 1885 in Cotham Hill, Bristol.)