Friends of Hastings Cemetery

Borrow Family continued

Around 60 watercolours sold to local buyers in 1906; c.60 postcards, mostly view in Sussex, were produced in sets of six, published by Brown & Woodley (the “B & W series”) at no.27 White Rock Place, later published by The Water Colour Postcard Co at no.17 Paternoster Row, London.

He had 27 paintings in the Royal Academy,most of which were coastal scenes, e.g. ‘On the north Devon Coast’ 1874, but also some true marines such as ‘Running for port’ 1889 and ‘The herring-boat a good haul’ 1890.  He also had an exhibit in the British Institution (‘The Cutter ashore’ 1865), 28 in the Suffolk Street Galleries and 34 in other London galleries (total = 91 London exhibits).  His favourite painting locations were Cornwall, Devon and the vicinity of Hastings.  Amongst his Suffolk Street exhibits were ‘On the Cornish coast’ (1864), and ‘Bedruthan, north coast of Cornwall’ (1867). [Brook-Hart. 19th c Marine painting, p.340]

 Brooke-Hart; Hardie (2009) Artists in Newlyn and West Cornwall (p315);

 Johnson & Greutzner (1975) Dictionary of British Artists;

 Tovey (2009) St Ives: Social History (p20);

 Whybrow (1994) St Ives (1883-1900 painters list, p 210);

 Wood (1995) Victorian Painters

Their three children were

Lydia Laura Mary – born in London 1871 – died 18th June 1905.

Fanny – London 1873 – died 20th March 1960, having continued to live at 88 St Helens Road, where Fanny and Lydia ran St Helens College.

Sydney Wingfield Borrow – born Hastings 1875; died 1969

Lydia, (daughter of W.H.Borrow)  ran St Helens College at no.88, St Helens Rd with her sister Fanny; she died there 1905.  Lydia’s death is recorded on a stone in the family plot, together with her father – “In loving memory of our dear (Lily) Lydia who died June 18th 1905 aged 34.. Also of William Henry Borrow, Father of the above, who died July 12th 1905.

Their mother Mary died in 1916.

Fanny continued to live at 88 St Helen’s Road and run St Helen's College for Girls After Lydia’s death (see below).  She was very active in the affairs of Christ Church, Blacklands.  For six years she was engaged to Revd Alfred Hodges, Vicar of Christ Church, but the engagement was ended by his death in 1909 (or 1910) allegedly on eve of their wedding after a six year engagement.

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