E. Fergusson Taylor

Edward Fergusson Taylor (c. 1849 – 21 March 1905) was an English temperance campaigner, estate agent, surveyor and property developer who was instrumental in the development of New Barnet in north London.

Edward Fergusson Taylor's grave in East Barnet churchyard.
Certificate for the New Barnet Literary And Debating Society Eisteddfod held at Lytton Road Assembly Rooms in 1900.[1]

Early life and family

Edward Fergusson Taylor was born in St Paul's, Covent Garden, London.[2] He married Annie (born c.1850). Their youngest son, George, died aged 3 at Bracon Ash, New Barnet, on 8 March 1887.[3] They had a second son, also Edward Fergusson Taylor. Annie died on 1 March 1892 from pneumonia following influenza.[4]

Career

Taylor was an estate agent, surveyor and property developer who was instrumental in the development of New Barnet.[5] He encouraged the construction of churches and a town hall. He was a temperance campaigner and promoted the erection of a temperance hall and a coffee house to attract people away from alcohol.[6]

He built the Lytton Road Assembly Rooms in New Barnet around 1870[7] which became a cinema in 1925[8] and was replaced with a purpose-built building in 1926 known as the Hippodrome, the Kinema, and the Regal from 1933.[9] The 1871 census, when he was aged 22, records his occupation as "Stationer and House Agent".[2]

In 1888 he was practicing from 55 Chancery Lane in the City of London and from New Barnet, and in 1895 from 70 and 72 Chancery Lane.[10] In 1895 he held an auction sale of leasehold properties in New Barnet at the Assembly Rooms there,[11] one of a number of such sales he held. He advertised extensively in London papers for the sale or lease of property in north London, particularly in New Barnet and Lyonsdown.

Politics

Taylor was active in the Barnet Conservative Association which met at the Assembly Rooms in New Barnet, proposing a motion in 1887 in support of the British government's Irish policy and the actions of Unionist leaders. The motion was passed.[12] His son Edward later became a Conservative Party councillor in Finchley.

Death and legacy

Taylor died on 21 March 1905. He is buried with his wife Annie in the same grave at St Mary the Virgin, East Barnet. Probate was obtained by Eveline Blanche Taylor, spinster, Edward Fergusson Taylor, auctioneer, and Arthur Leonard Ferriday, auctioneer's clerk. His business was continued by his son Edward.

References
  1. Taylor, Pamela, & Joanna Corden (1994) Barnet, Edgware, Hadley and Totteridge: A Pictorial History. Chichester: Phillimore. Photograph No. 85. ISBN 0850339189
  2. Edward F Taylor England and Wales Census, 1871. Family Search. Retrieved 25 July 2018. (subscription required)
  3. "Births, Marriages and Deaths", The Morning Post, 12 March 1887, p. 1.
  4. "Deaths", The Times, 3 March 1892, p. 1.
  5. New Barnet, Barnet. Hidden London. Retrieved 22 November 2016.
  6. "New Barnet" in Russ Willey, London Gazetteer, Chambers, Edinburgh, 2006. pp. 335-336. ISBN 0550102590
  7. Eyles, Allen, & Keith Skone. (2002). Cinemas of Hertfordshire. Hatfield: Hertfordshire Publications. ISBN 978-0-9542189-0-4.CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  8. Regal Cinema. Ken Roe, Cinema Treasures. Retrieved 28 May 2017.
  9. Taylor, Pamela, & Joanna Corden. (1994) Barnet, Edgware, Hadley and Totteridge: A pictorial history. Chichester: Phillimore. Image caption 138. ISBN 0850339189
  10. "Taylor v. Joyner." - Mr. E. Fergusson Taylor, The Times, 25 January 1895, p. 4.
  11. "Sales by auction", The Standard, 24 June 1895, p. 7.
  12. The Standard, 15 April 1887, p. 2.
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