Obituaries for Alderman William John Lunt
Despite many of the newspaper obituaries giving much the same detail, there are a few different snippets in each which either give a description of the area or a list of other committees he was a member of, and sometimes a vivid picture of the events taking place at the time of his travels, so I thought it worth while including all of them.
The list of attendees at the funeral gives many well known Liverpool names which might be of interest to other family history researchers.
The completion date of his apprenticeship, 1848, denoting the time he left for London and from there to Paris, presumably gives the explanation as to why he doesn’t appear on the 1851 census.
The Daily Post – Monday, February 15, 1892
DEATH OF ALDERMAN LUNT.
A REMARKABLE CAREER
One of the most useful and least ostentatious of our local public men has just passed away in the person of Alderman W.J. Lunt, who died yesterday morning, at half-past ten, at his residence, Keppel Villa, 6 Deans Road, in the sixty-fourth year of his age. For some time past he had been in delicate health, suffering from heart disease, asthma and dropsy. During the past two months he was seriously ill, and his death was not unlooked for.
Mr. Lunt, who was born in Low Hill within the sound of the bells of the Cathedral Church of Liverpool, had a most eventful career in the earlier period of his life. At the age of twenty-one, after completing an apprenticeship to the tailoring business in this city, he went to London to seek his fortunes. He, however, failed to procure satisfactory employment in the metropolis, and accordingly he tried fresh fields and pastures new, crossing over to the French capital, which was then in a very troubled state. Here he remained until he obtained a thorough mastery of the French language, and so successful was he in this respect that he was employed as an English interpreter in one of the largest tailoring establishments of Paris. During his sojourn in the gay city he was a spectator of Napoleon’s celebrated coup d’etat, and the scenes then enacted he vividly described when in later years he lectured to his fellow-townsmen in Liverpool on the subject of his travels abroad. Being still further animated with a desire to see more of the world, he took a journey on foot through Switzedrland and the Italian States. In Italy he was destined to meet with an adventure which very clearly brought him into serious trouble; for he was actually arrested and thrown into prison as a foreign spy. After being in durance vile for some short time the authorities discovered they had made a mistake, but no apology was made for his unwarrantable detention, and at the end of his period of imprisonment he was escorted to the frontier and sent about his business. Some idea of what he suffered can be gathered from the fact that he was incarcerated in no fewer than fourteen different prisons in six weeks. All this time he was in possession of his passport, which he stoutly refused to give up to the authorities, fearing that to do so would subject him to further ill-treatment.
He afterwards returned to Paris, and again worked with assiduity as a gargon tailleur and interpreter. After having prospered in this career, he went back to London at the special request of his father, who desired him to return to his native town. This he eventually did, and on the death of his father took over his business, which was then carried on in Low hill. Here he was most successful in the prosecution of the trade, which he by his industry and perseverance built up to a high degree of prosperity. In 1887 he retired, leaving his son, Mr Samuel Towers Lunt, to succeed him in the business. Mr. Lunt was twice married, and he leaves a widow and two sons – Mr. Samuel Towers Lunt and Mr. George Towers Lunt.
Mr. Lunt first entered the City Council in November, 1878, when he was returned for West Derby Ward after an exciting contest with the late Mr. W.D. Holt. He defeated that gentleman by a majority of 344, the figures being:- Lunt, 3,128: Holt, 2,784. In 1881 he was re-elected without a contest. In 1884 he was similarly fortunate, and in 1887 so strong was his position deemed to be that nobody ventured to challenge his return. Two years afterwards, on the 4th December, 1889, he was elevated to the aldermanic bench, in the place of Sir A.B. Walker, who had resigned.
Mr. Lunt was one of the most popular men connected with the Conservative party in West Derby Ward, and he occupied almost every position of honour in the district, having been a member of the West Derby Board of Guardians (of which he was elected Chairman), chairman of the West Derby Burial Board, a waste land commissioner, and an overseer of the poor. He was justly considered the father of the West Derby Guardians, having been connected with that body for the long period of thirty-one years. His colleagues presented him with his portrait in oil, and it now hangs in the boardroom, along with those of other men who distinguished themselves in parochial administration. Personally, he enjoyed a reputation for urbanity, “polished manners, and fine sense.” He was a hard worker in the service of the public, and owing to his indefatigable labours the Corporation free lectures were inaugurated and brought to their present position of efficiency and usefulness. He also was instrumental in adorning the public spaces in front of the Art Gallery, the Free Library, and St. George’s Hall with plants and shrubs; and in many other directions evidences were not wanting of his good taste and culture, his residence abroad having, no doubt, inspired him with a laudable desire to embellish the public places of our city.
In politics, he was not a bigoted partisan, but could always be relied on to give a conscientious support to advance the interests of his party if required. He gave a convincing proof of this on the 9th of November last, when, at serious risk, he left his house and attended the meeting of the City Council for the purpose of recording his vote for the present Mayor (Mr. J. de Bels Adam).
The funeral will take place tomorrow morning, at St. Mary’s Church, Edge hill, at eleven o’clock.
The death of Mr. Lunt creates a vacancy on the aldermanic bench, and already it is rumoured that Mr. Joseph Ball may be his successor in office.
Alderman J. Lunt died yesterday morning at his residence, Keppel Villa, 6 Deane Road, Fairfield, from heart disease, asthma and dropsy. Alderman Lunt was sixty-four years of age.
Liverpool Mercury – Monday, February 15, 1892
DEATH OF ALDERMAN LUNT
After a lingering illness, Alderman W.J. Lunt died of dropsy yesterday morning at his residence, No. 6, Deane road, Kensington, Fairfield. By the death of Mr. Lunt Liverpool has lost a man who for many years had been closely identified with the municipal and parochial administration of the city. He was a Liverpool man to the backbone, having been born at No. 1, Kensington, where his father and grandfather before him carried on the business of tailors. Apprenticed to his father, at the age of 21 he went, like many other young men, to seek his fortunes further afield. In 1848 he obtained employment as a journeyman tailor in London, and thence went to Paris, and was there at the time of the coup d’etat of Napoleon the Little, as Victor Hugo persisted in calling the third of the name. After remaining some time pursuing his calling in the French capital, Mr. Lunt, who at this time in his career manifested a great love of travel, elected to go “on the tramp,” and passed through Switzerland, crossed the Alps, and visited both Rome and Naples. Subsequently, when journeying over the frontier, Mr. Lunt was taken prisoner by the Austrians, who accused him ot being a spy. He passed through the trying ordeal of imprisonment, and in the space of six weeks was incarcerated in no fewer than 14 different prisons. Eventually he obtained his freedom and went back to Paris, and subsequently to London, where his father met him, and he again returned to his native city and settled down to business. Mr. Lunt soon began to manifest a keen interest in the affairs of his native city. For 25 years he was an active member of the West Derby Guardians, and served on that board as chairman. He was also one of the West Derby overseers, and was a member of the Burial Board for a long period of time. In 1878 he was elected a representative for West Derby in the City Council by a large Conservative majority, and was successively re-elected until three years ago, when he was promoted to the aldermanic bench. In his connection with the Library, Museum and Arts Committee of the Corporation, Mr. Lunt did much good work. It is to him the people of Liverpool are in a large measure indebted for the excellent free Corporation lectures, and he also strongly advocated the building of the new Kensington Free Library, which has proved so great a success. For many years he was an active Freemason, having at one time been Provincial Grand Treasurer. He was also a member of the Everton, the Merchants, and the Liverpool Lodges. Mr. Lunt was twice married, his first wife dying in 1868. Twelve years later he married the present Mrs. Lunt, whom, with two sons, he leaves to deplore his loss. Between four and five years ago he retired from business, which one of his sons now carries on. Socially Mr. Lunt was of a most genial disposition, and during his long career gathered around him a very large number of friends, by whom he will be sadly missed. The funeral will take place at St. Mary’s Church, Edgehill, tomorrow (Tuesday), at eleven o’clock.
The Liverpool Courier– Monday, February 15, 1892
DEATH OF MR ALDERMAN LUNT
Death has caused another sad gap in the ranks of our local public men. After a long and painful illness, Mr. Alderman W.J. Lunt died yesterday morning at his residence Deane road, Fairfield. By the removal of Mr. Lunt, the city is poorer in that it has lost a man who by honest industry, manly perseverance, kindly and straight-forward demeanour, and intelligent interest in municipal and public affairs, was able to do much for the advancement of the mental and social welfare of his fellow citizens, and at the same time earn for himself a sufficient competence to take with ease the latter years of his life. Mr. Lunt was politically a strong Tory, but no one more heartily supported the late Sir James Picton in his admirable work as chairman of the Library Committee; and, indeed, in whatever department of the public voluntary service Mr. Lunt was for the time engaged his colleagues always found him give a ready ear and an impartial consideration to every proposal, whoever might be its author, or from whatever quarter it came, which had in view the social, moral, mental, or religious benefit of the people.
Probably few men have passed through in early life the same experiences – which he could so vividly describe – adventures and privations as Mr. Lunt. His family has been located in the neighbourhood of Kensington for many years. His father and grandfather carried on a modest tailor’s business at the corner of Low hill and Kensington, when Kensington was a fine country road with few houses near at hand. Mr. Lunt was born at No. 1 Kensington, in February, 1828, and learnt his father’s business. Fired with a spirit of adventure, and also with the desire to obtain a wider experience of his trade, he, soon after finishing his apprenticeship (in 1848), left Liverpool for London, and there worked for some time as a journeyman tailor. He then crossed to Paris and experienced life among the workmen of that city, at one of the most exciting periods of its troublous history. The working men of the French capital (the tailors in particular) were then, as they always have been violent politicians. Paris was the hotbed of continental revolutionists. Political clubs abounded and there conspiracies were hatched against most of the reigning houses of Europe. Mrs. Lunt had the opportunity – given to few Englishmen – of observing the working of the revolutionary propaganda and of some of the most noted of the revolutionary and socialistic leaders whose watchword was “equality and fraternity.” It is believed that the experience gained by Mr. Lunt then of the “advanced” politicians very much influenced that Conservative testing that in after life distinguished him during the interregnum which followed the fall of Louis Philippe, and was terminated by the coup d’etat of December 1851, when Prince Louis Napoleon who had supported the Republic and become its President startled the world – his own countrymen the most of all – by a series of rapidly executed measures, resulting in his becoming Napoleon III. This Prince first won over the army, then “on the 2nd of December he seized and imprisoned all his political opponents; the next day he bore down with the most savage violence all possible opposition. Paris was in the hands of his soldiers, hundreds of helpless people were slaughtered, the streets of Paris ran with blood; Louis Napoleon proclaimed himself Prince President.” Mr. Lunt was an eye-witness of this terribly anxious time in the history of Paris; and, living among the workmen, was exposed to much of the danger. He had an opportunity of hearing and seeing many of the leading Frenchmen, including Thiers and Hugo. But he desired to gain a larger experience of Continental life and nations than he could get in Paris. So he walked his way from Paris in a south-easterly direction, working at his trade as he went from place to place. He entered Switzerland, crossed the old St. Gothard pass, and continued his pedestrian journey through Florence and Rome (where he spent several months, and saw the reigning Pontiff) until he reached Naples. Then he determined to return northwards and entered the German States. The then Austrian dominance in Italy, however, prevented the carrying out of this intention. Austria then held the quadrilateral. As soon as Mr. Lunt got outside Venice he was taken prisoner by the Austrian troops. The Austrians at that time regarded with great jealousy the approach of all Englishmen, knowing that Mazzini and Garibaldi were in England, and were, in conjunction with many other refugees, contemplating arising against the foreign yoke that held down their countrymen; and Mr. Lunt, the travelling, inoffensive journeyman tailor, whose last thought would be of a revolution in which he would be a “redshirt,” was suspected to be a spy, and seized and placed in an Austrian dungeon. Several others who had also been seized were made Mr. Lunt’s companions in prison. He appealed for protection to the British authorities, but either his message did not reach them or they were powerless to interfere. For six weeks he was kept a prisoner, and during that period of detention he had experienced no fewer than fourteen Austrian prison fortresses. He was kept on a diet which scarcely saved him from starvation, and he was subjected to the most rigorous treatment and brutal insults by the officials. But what he most of all complained of was that he and others, strapped to a flat cart, had to ford the river Po in that uncomfortable and dangerous position. It was only on condition that he would leave Austrian territory after being escorted to the frontier that he regained his freedom, and then he directed his steps back to Paris, and found the citizens enjoying the rule of the Napoleon who had so suddenly seized upon the supreme power in France. Altogether Mr. Lunt spent about five years on the Continent, and after a short stay in London he returned to Liverpool about the beginning of the Crimean war.
Since that period his life has been before his fellow citizens, and was eventful only in so far as the peaceful progress of the city is concerned. He started business in Prescot Street, and shortly afterwards his father died. It was not long before Mr. Lunt’s neighbours discovered that he was an admirable as well as amiable man of business, with a capacity for public affairs, and he was appointed one of the guardians of the poor for West Derby. This he remained for nearly thirty years, during which time he was chairman of the board. His colleagues on the relief committees always admired the kindly sympathy and the consideration he showed for the honest poor who came before them for parochial assistance. Mr. Lunt was also a member of the West Derby Waste Lane Commissioners, the senior overseer for West Derby, and the chairman of the West Derby Burial Board. In 1878 Mr. Lunt was elected a member of the City Council for West Derby ward, and remained a popular representative of this division of the city until 1889, when he was elected an alderman. This office he held up to his death. Mr. Lunt was an active member of the Corporation committees. He was on the Watch Committee at one time, but the committee into whose labours he most heartily entered was the Library, Art, and Museum Committee, taking a special interest in the Rotunda Free Lectures of the sub-committee in charge of which he was the chairman. One step which the Corporation took was a source of great gratification to Alderman Lunt. That was the establishment of the Kensington Branch Library and Reading-room, which was mainly due to Mr. Lunt’s persistent exertions. It was also due in no small degree to his advocacy that St John’s, St. Peter’s, and other public places were improved, and also the placing of trees opposite the Free Library was at his suggestion.
The later alderman was an enthusiastic Freemason, and was a member of the Everton, Merchants and Liverpool Lodges. He was Provincial Grand Treasurer for a few years, and it fell to him to initiate the Earl of Lathom and the late Mr. Wm. Simpson into the mysteries of Mark Masonry.
Mr. Lunt was twice married, and leaves a wife and two sons. He retired from business about five years ago and since that time had lived in Deane road. For several months Mr. Lunt had been an invalid. About his last public act was to support his party at the election of Mr. James de Bels Adam as Mayor. Mr. Lunt was an extremely courteous and kind-hearted gentleman. In describing his experiences which he did with much modesty, and yet most graphically, to several public audiences, of Paris and of Italy under the Austrian domination, he sometimes was good-humouredly twitted about being taken for a spy, his friends saying that it looked so odd that so pronounced a Tory, and so mild mannered a man as he, should be by the most imaginative Austrian regarded as one of the Carbonari or a Garibaldian redshirt.
The funeral of Mr. Lunt will take place at St. Mary’s Church, Edgehill at 11 o’clock on Tues.
The Daily Post – Monday, February 17, 1892
FUNERAL OF THE LATE ALDERMAN LUNT
The remains of the late Alderman W.J. Lunt, who for many years was actively associated with politics and public affairs in West Derby, were yesterday interred in a family burial-place in St. Mary’s Churchyard, Edge hill. A numerous and representative gathering attended the obsequies. The funeral left the deceased’s late residence in Deane road, Fairfield, in the course of the forenoon, arriving shortly afterwards at the churchyard, where a considerable number of sympathisers were already assembled. The Rev. Canon Rycroft read the service for the dead. The chief mourners were Mr. Samuel Towers Lunt and Mr. George Towers Lunt, sons; Mr. J.H.S. Lunt, grandson; Mr. Thomas Adamson and Mr. Thomas Whitty, brothers in law; Mr. Samuel Lunt, Mr. Mark Lunt, and Mr. James Lunt, brothers; Mr. Thomas Evans, C.C., Dr. Dunbar, and Mr. William Holden. Representing the Corporation of Liverpool were the Mayor (Mr. J. de Bels Adam), Aldermen MacIver, E. Grindley, and T. Hughes, Councillors E.H. Cookson, E. Walker, Dr. Marsh, Thomas Evans and Joseph Ball; Captain Nott Bower (Head Constable), Mr. H. Allbutt (Deputy-Head Constable), Mr. G.J. Atkinson (Town-clerk), Mr. J.M. Sadler representing Mr. H.P. Boulnois, C.E. (city engineer), Mr. C. Dyall (curator Walker Art Gallery), and Mr. R Paden (representing Mr. T.J. Moore, curator of the Derby Museum). There were present on behalf of the West Derby Board of Guardians Messrs. J. Edwards (chairman), J. Beasley, Jonathan Parry, B.E. Bailey, C.H. Boote, R. Warriner, John Williams, I. Turner, W. Fingland (members of the board), Dr. Chapman, Mr. E.R. Jones (assistant clerk), Mr. E. Jenner (Walton), Mr. E. Gilbert (Fazakerley). The Edge hill District Permanent Benefit Building Society was represented by Messrs. W.S. Holden (solicitor) and P. Laycock (Secretary), and Messrs. R. Davies, J.L. Kynaston, T. Lawson, O. M’Dowall, and Jesse Twenlow, members of the committee. The overseer5s and township staff of West Derby were represented by Messrs. W. Guyler (chairman), John Roberts, Jesse W. Williams (assistant-overseer), James Hunter, J.W. Marshall, C. M’Dowell, and Thomas Johnson, Mr. Griffith Thomas, one of the overseers being absent through illness. Messrs. B. M’Granahan, J. Woodcock and H.J. Hagger attended on behalf of the Liverpool Select Vestry. The West Derby Conservative Association was represented by Messrs. E.H. Cookson, E. Walker, E. Burns, J.M. Curry, S. Nelson, C. Burrows, F.W. Sothran, G.B. Grandy, W.M. Metcalfe, J.R. Jones, W. Morgan, I. Pearson, T. Woods, Adam Wynne, John Halland, and others. Messrs. F. Damsell and G.B. Rodway were unavoidably unable to be present. Mr. James Thompson represented the Constitutional Association. From the Everton Lodge of Freemasons, No. 823, of which the deceased gentleman was a past master and benevolent fund trustee, there were present Brothers J. Mantle, W.M., E. Kite, S.W., R.J. Britten, I.P.M., P.G.S., of W., W. Maddox, P.M., J. Beesley, P.M., P.P.G.D., J.M. King, P.M., P.P.G.D.C., R. Warriner, P.M., J.J. Boyle, P.M., treasurer, George Eyton, P.M. I. Wilson, P.M., H. Ashmore, P.M., W.J. Gullbart, J.W., J. Bennett, J. Griffiths, J. Gregson, J. Fairbrother, J.T. Spiers, R.D. Raymond, E. Morgan, M.W. Davey, R. Arden, A.W. Triggs, and E. Beevan. Among other Freemasons present were Brothers W. Ladyman, P.M. (1,547), T. Leake, S.W. (1,547), J.W. Hughes (1,547), J. Newton (1,547), W. Coxon, P.G.S. (1,675), A. Woolrich, P.M. (1,556), J. Pendleton, P.M. (241), H.M. Molyneux, P.P.G.D.C., P.M. (241), F. Wilkinson (594), and W.H. Stevens (203). The general mourners included the Rev. W.J. Adams, the Rev. S.O. Owens, Dr. Arhcer, Messrs. J. Miles, W. Clarkson, T. May Smith, Thomas Vernon, W. Adams, W. Lunt, W. Boots, G. Fletcher, W.M. Butters, F. Bowdan, Isaac Jacolm, W.W. Tomlinson, J. Ibbs, J. Bennett, E.R. Marthwaite, H. Griffiths, J.O. Mailabar, J. Richardson, G. Dalton, C. M’Ardle, F. Parker, H.M. Wright, A. Harris, W.G. Nicholls, H. Beavan, T. Bradley, R. Barber, W.M. Alston, J.T.P. Parkinson and others.
The coffin was covered with many wreaths sent both by private friends and public bodies.