PROPRIETOR OF THE NEWCASTLE CHRONICLE, TWICE MAYOR and ALDERMAN FOR 32 YEARS
Situated in the Consecrated/North West Section of Jesmond Old Cemetery.
The Newcastle Chronicle was founded in 1764, and published as a weekly broadsheet, by a Mr. Thomas Slack, a printer, and his wife Ann Fisher. The newspaper was first printed in Union Street, Newcastle, which was a group of ancient premises occupying the site of the Bigg Market, near the old Town Hall.
Prior to her marriage Ann established an evening school for young women who wanted to improve their literacy skills. She published “A New Grammar and Spelling Book” establishing her as the first female grammarian in modern English. There is a plaque on the gate of St John’s Churchyard where they are buried.
Together they had nine daughters – it must have been interesting house to live in. On the death of Thomas and Ann, the business passed on to one of the daughters, Sarah, in 1785. Sarah married a Mr. Solomon Hodgson and together they continued to run the business ‘with great enterprise and success’. Sarah and Solomon had three sons and two daughters; Solomon Joseph, who died at the age of 17, Hannah, who died two years later at the age of 27 and Sarah, who died aged 7. All three are buried alongside their parents in St. John’s Churchyard.
Of their surviving sons, Thomas, the eldest, was born on the 15th August 1785 and was baptised in St. Johns Church on the 9th November. James was born on 6th May 1793 and baptised on the 25th January 1794.
In 1794 Solomon sold off part of the business to his brother in law but after his death in 1800, Sarah bought back what had been sold and re established herself as the owner, running the business with her two surviving sons, Thomas and James. After Sarah’s death in 1822, they continued running the business; Thomas had been looking after the editorial side since 1806, when he reached the age of 21, and James, the commercial aspects since 1814, when he became of age.
Records show that James was buried in close proximity to his brother, Thomas, but the grave was moved in 1971 as part of the proposed Jesmond Road/Sandyford Road widening project.
James married Hannah Yellowley Clark on 11th June 1836 when he was 43 years old, Hannah was 39. They had one son, also named James, in 1838. They can be found on the census living in Eldon Street.
James was elected Alderman from the commencement of the reformed Town Council. From Richard Welford, ‘He was not an orator, but he made short, jerky speeches, full of common sense, seasoned by mother wit, and these, coupled with his undoubted skill in finance, and his sharp, decisive business habits, won the confidence of the Council.’
James was first elected Mayor in 1841. On the day that Alderman Hodgson was elected Mayor, the Prince of Wales was born, and the birth of an heir to the throne being an historical event of importance, the Corporation departed from the usual custom of sending their loyal address through a member of Parliament. They desired the Mayor to present it in person, and he went to the Court in proper form, and had the honour of kissing hands. With this exception, his year of office was quiet and uneventful.
In 1844, James was appointed Chairman of the Corporation Finance Committee, a position he held for nearly 25 years. James was elected for his second term as Mayor in 1851 and, during this year, he proposed that his budget was reduced to £750. This was not met with approval, despite James maintained that the dignity of a Chief Magistrate was not necessarily associated with lavish spending!!
At the end of his second term as Mayor, he devoted his time to the work of the Corporation Finance Committee and the North-Eastern Railway.
James died on the 22nd December 1867.
A report of his funeral in the local press follows: ‘Funeral of Mr. Alderman Hodgson. The funeral of this lamented gentleman took place yesterday afternoon, in Jesmond Cemetery; and was attended by a very large number of friends of the deceased. The funeral was of a public character; and several public bodies took part in it. The members of the Newcastle Corporation, of which the deceased had been a distinguished member, assembled at the town hall at 12 o’clock; From then proceeded to the residence of the deceased, in Eldon Street. Here a procession was formed in the following order: – Six police officers; the mace and sword bearers of the Corporation; the Freeman and stewards of the incorporated companies, with the chairman, Mr. W. Meikel: policemen; members of the town, council and corporation; officials of the North-Eastern Railway, of which Mr Alderman Hodgson was a director; the hearse; five mourning coaches; the Mayor’s carriage; private carriages; and body of police. The first mourning coach contained Mr. James Hodgson, son of this deceased; Mr. J Hodgson, nephew; Mr. Park, Mr. T. Hodgson, and Mr. James Scarth, relatives. In the second coach there were four of the six pall-bearers, Mr R.P. Philipson, town clerk of Newcastle; Mr John Clayton, ex town clerk; Alderman I.L .Bell, and Alderman T. Wilson. In the third coach, the remaining pall-bearers, Alderman J. Sillick, Alderman A. Nichol, and Alderman Dodds, and the Vicar of Newcastle. The fourth coach contain Mr. Alderman Hunter, ex Mayor; Mr. T. Bourne and Dr. Rayne. In the fifth coach there were Mr. G.A. Brumell, borough treasurer, Mr. Havelock, Mr. Henry Tennant, and Mr. Eyton. Among the private carriages there were those of Alderman Bell, Alderman Dodds, Alderman Hedley, Alderman Nichol, Alderman Laycock, Gosforth; Alderman Blackwell, Mr. B. C. Lawton, Benwell; Mr. Henry Tennant, Gateshead; Mr. W.J. Hutchinson, Mr. A Grey, Jesmond; Mr. R. Fail, Mr. R.W. Hodgson, the Vicar of Newcastle, Dr. Humble, and Dr. Rayne. The solemn service of the Church was read by the Rev. the Vicar of Newcastle. The coffin which was double cased and handsomely ornamented, was placed in a brick vault overshadowed by a willow and holly trees, not far from the lower gate of the cemetery. It bore the following inscriptions; – James Hodgson Died 22nd December, 1867 Age 74.
The funeral arrangements were trusted to Mrs Coxon and Co; on whose behalf they were conducted by Mr. Morrow, assisted by Mr Howe. The mourning coaches were from the establishment of Mr. Miller, Queen’s Head. The bells of Saint Andrew’s rung muffled on the melancholy occasion.’