George Cheesman senior

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Children -
George born 1814
Mary Ann born 1816
Charles born 1817
Caroline born 1820
Thomas born 1824
Robert Edmund born 1825
Frances eliza born 1828
Harriet born 1829
Louisa born 1833

George Cheesman senior was also known as George Cheesman the elder, and George Cheesman Childrens, a reference to his grandmother's name. His father was baptised 'John Cheesman, son of Barbara Childrens', and the record shows 'baseborn'.

George was the third born. The first was John, who died as an infant, and the second was also John. Several members of the family were builders, but George was to build up a substantial business and play a large part in the growth of the town. There are countless references in the official records and books and newspaper articles to the work of the family:often these merely refer to the surname, making it difficult to know who was involved in a specific project. I have gathered together all the records I can find on my 'Cheesman Builders' page.

The situation is made more complicated by the fact that George's first son was also George (George the younger), but was not the 'son' of 'George and son': this was George's second son Charles. George the younger, who also has his own page, was an architect, although probably not formally trained, credited with the design of many building projects.

As if running a major business wasn't enough, George owned several sea-going ships, and there are many newspaper references to mackerel caught by his fleet of fishing boats. These are recorded in my 'Cheesman shipowners' page.

George played a major part in the running of the town as a member of the Directors and Guardians of the poor. However, there are suggestions that this group sometimes used their position to their own advantage. This is described in some detail (although names are not named, unfortunately!) in 'The History of Brighton' (also titled 'the History of Brighthelmstone') by John Ackerson Erridge, published 1862, available to read at East Sussex Records Office in Lewes.

George and his family spent their lives in Kensington Street, in the North Laines of Brighton, although at thev time it was rather different to how it is now.

George married Alice Taylor, a local girl, in 1813. They had eight children, but three died as children. Alice last appears in the 1851 census.

George died in 1866, aged 74, from rheumatic gout. The local newspaper, the Brighton Gazette, carried a report of his illness on February 8th, and an obituary on February 15th. This makes generous reference to his involvement in the life of the town, but there is an interesting reference to the fishermen of his fleet not being properly appreciative of his kindness to them.

from the Brighton Gazette,8 February, 1866

SERIOUS ILLNESS of Mr GEORGE CHEESMAN SEN. -

We regret to learn that this gentleman who is so highly respected by every one who has had the pleasure of his acquaintance, is lying so dangerously ill at his residence In Kensington Street that there is not the. remotest hope Of his recovery. If he should live till the 17th of this month he will have attained the age of 75.

from the Brighton Gazette,15 February, 1866

DEATH OF MR GEORGE CHEESMAN, SENIOR -

The paragraph in our last Thursday's Gazette must have forewarned our readers of the probable early dissolution of the above highly respected, old inhabitant of Brighton. He died in his 75^th year, on the day of our publication. Mr Cheesman rose to a high position in this town as a first-class tradesman from the most humble circumstances through his personal Industry. If we mistake not, one of his first contracts was to build the wall which encircled the late Cricket Ground, known as the Hanover Cricket Ground, originated by Mr Ireland, who was, the landlord, at that time, of the Golden Cross, now the Marlhorough Inn, in Princes Street. Mr Cheesman has been the builder, under the auspices of the Rev. the Vicar, of some half-dozen Churches in Brighton. He has performed contracts for the town to a large extent, both with regard to groynes and pavements , and we may say, without fear of contradiction, to the utmost satisfaction of the authorities and the Inhabitants at large. Mr Cheesmen built the house at the south-east corner of Brunswick Square, known as 19, Brunswick Terrace, and it is a remarkable fact that, whilst the excavations were being made for the foundations, the sea washed into those foundations across the road, and we have the authority of our present Mayor for saying so, he being an eye-witness to the fact. This shows how the sea has receded at that part of the town, and which can he easily accounted for by the erection of groynes. Mr Cheesman was the greatest benefactor to the fishermen of Brighton that we ever remember to have heard of. He took great delight in all that appertained to the pursuits of what may be termed the aborigines of Brighton, but we are sorry to say, from all that we can learn, that all his kindness in that quarter was not properly requited, still he remained firm to them to the day of his death. His purse was always open to the cause of charity, and he was a liberal subscriber to our local Institutions and to all amusements tending to the benefit of the inhabitants. His remains were interred, on Tuesday morning, in the parochial Cemetery when the Rev. the Vicar. assisted by the Rev. Thomas Cooks, performed the funeral service in the most impressive manner. Among those present to Witness his remains consigned to their last resting-place were the Mayor, Messrs. P. R. Wilkinson, Wilkinson (Junction Road), R. Edwards, Thos. Smith and his son, George Smith (Star and Garter Hotel), W. Marchant, E. Burn, C, Sprake R. Shrivell, G. Walls, R. Geere, R. B. Powell &c. To the surprise of many there was only one solitary fisherman present.