The article below has been submited by John, I first got to see this charming set of notes when I was doing a profile of John Dobson. John thought I may be interested in his very distant relative T.O.Small and it prompted us to do further work on finding out about the two Theatre Royals,( see the separate article below submitted by Mareen Dorothy and Margaret.)
Peter was kind enough to scan the orginal set of notes which I have attempted to convert. If you see ?? next to any words or .... these have been left in as they are oringinal and posibly the transcribers notes or queries the same goes for any indents. T.S.O is Mr Smalls initials after making an additional comment.
Copied from notebook
entitled: “Life of T.O. Small, artist & engraver, Blacket St N/C
Educated at The Revd Newton Blyth’s Belle House Academy,
Branton Northumberland. At Branton during The Great Election. Afterwards,
served with John Dobson, esq Architect, who entrusted to my care, the putting
in perspective from the ground plan, the following celebrated buildings:
Mr Collingwood’ s, of
Lilburn Tower, Mr Ord’s of Nunny Kirk, Mr Lawson of Longhurst and many others,
which were afterwards engraved.
On leaving the office in 1832 was presented with a handsome silver snuff box, by Mr
Dobson and his clerks.
(Footnote)
Branton is two miles from Powburn and 4 from Whitingham.
Afterwards studied with Mr Mark Lambert & son the art of
engraving and for years followed it as a profession in all its branches with
the addition of steel embroidery. Suffering in health from too close
application, turned my attention to sculpture, working on the busts of Richard
Grainger Esq, Sheridan(?), Knowles Esq and many others, modelling in bisquet earthenware and fire
clay. Specimens of which exhibited at the Exhibition of 1851 one elaborate vase
was before the Queen & Prince Albert and by their approval was the means of
renewing the grant to The School of Design in this town which had been
withdrawn.
(PJD note: A report in the Newcastle Chronicle of Feb27 1852 of the
proceedings of the Lit & Phil Society refers to: Stand for cut flowers, and
various and highly ornamental vases, flower and fernery stands, &c. in white
terra cotta. One of the vases is a copy of one in red terra cotta shown by Mr C.T Mailing in the Great Exhibition, and
which was ”honourably— mentioned” by the commissioners. The vases etc. designed
by Mr T.O. Small and modelled by Mr T.O. Small and Mr C. T. Mailing.)
Passing through almost every branch of art, I particularly
indulged in water colours, etching and painting on glass, and in later years,
miniature painting on ivory ?? and
(PJD note: Williams Commercial Directory 1844 Central Library L942.8
records: Small & Hill, engravers, copper platers & steel embroiders of
20 Dean Street)
in enamel, and was one of the first (by my own personal
process) to apply colour to photography. I attended at the closing of the Old Theatre,
and the night before the opening of the New Royal, (attended a private meeting of
gentlemen ) prior to the first rising of the green curtain, sang with my dear
father, Brahms’s favourite Duet, “Oh Albion” from Brahms’s presentative ? copy. I may also here mention, that I possess the
Royal Arms, painted by the celebrated William Dixon which formed the pre?? Of
the old Theatre which was presented by the proprietor to my dear father.
During the lesse ship of Mr M Penley* I furnished various
designs and decorated as well as armorial bearings for the getting?? up of The
Chevy Chase which proved such a great success. I also designed and had executed
all the ?? glass chandeliers in the present
Theatre Royal and was highly complimented for the same on the opening night as
shown by the paragraph in the papers of that date.
(PJD note: The Newcastle
Journal. Saturday February 11 1837 contains an announcement by Mr Montague
Penley regarding the opening of The Theatre Royal the following Monday in which
he refers to “the magnificence of this
edifice. . .the new scenery, chandeliers, embellishments etc. . This is more or less repeated verbatim the
following Saturday 18 Feb when the paper also contains a very long and detailed
“Description of the splendid NEW THEATRE” referring to “..the gas chandeliers and bronze lustres have been constructed at the
works of Mr Watson of The High bridge, the glass-drops etc. have been
manufactured at the Northumberland Glass House... The Rotunda .. a very large
and rich ormula chandelier is suspended the centre. . .)
I have also known personally nearly all the professionals in
my day whose portraits I now have and appreciate.
* The New Theatre was opened by Mr M Penley Feb 20th 1837. The
last performance in the Old Theatre was on the 26th of June 1836 …
T.O.S.
I may at the same time mention that prior to the opening of
the Theatre Royal I had the honour of showing His Grace the Duke of
Northumberland (Algernon) all over the theatre. He was most courteous and
delightful.
T.O.S.
October 7th 1830
This was opened St Thomas’ Church, Barras Bridge, John
Dobson Esq, architect . I was present
and drank a glass of sherry standing on the top pinnacle I then was in the
office.
T.O. S
1830
Oct 31st Tho Oliver, architect, published his plans
for street improvements in Newcastle. His book & plans I have
T.O. S
Four leaves further on
(New Page)
St Thomas’s Chapel…..near the Tyne Bridge end.
The chapel was dedicated to St Thomas a Becket about the
date 1171. The chapel was incorporated with the Hospital of St Mary Magdalen in
Barras Bridge. On September 24 1691. There is an ???? of Common Council to take
down the steeple. During the succeeding 150 years Brand makes reference to the
chapel chiefly in connection with the religious services.
In 1830 it was decided to pull down the old chapel. On March
9th of that year the Revd R. Wasney A.U? preached his last sermon. I knew him
well and was present on that occasion. I was then with Mr Dobson, architect,
and made a survey of the building prior to its removal.
The demolition of the building commenced in the following
month. The handsome Church at the Barras Bridge (St Thomas’s) was built as a
substitute. I also was present at the opening of it I possess a very fine portrait
of The Revd R Wasney, A.U?
T.O.S
Theatre Royal Newcastle
One of the greatest treats I ever had was on September 20th
1848 in witnessing Jenny Lind’s performance of La Sonnambula
The prices were as follows:
Dress Boxes £1.11.6
Upper Boxes & Pit £1.1.0
Gallery 10/6
Receipts of the House £1,100
T. O. S
September 11th 1822
Died this day at Matlock, Derbyshire Lady Delaval relict of
the late Lord Delaval of Seaton Delaval, Northumberland
A little description of my proceedings in the Arts
Always having a love for the Arts and the beautiful, I have
been wishful to accomplish myself in as many branches as I could. Commencing from
a boy of 8 years of age. I first began with pencil drawing. After that with
Indian ink and sepia after that with Oriental tinting on card board and white
velvet. These l followed with flower painting in water colours. Also landscape
and architectural subjects in the same.I then proceeded with engraving in all its branches as my
many specimens will indicate. After that, I turned my attention to sculpture
carrying out my design both in earthen ware and fire clay. Many specimens I
exhibited at the Lit & Phil and at the Exhibition of 1857 some of
which-were there sold. After that I carried out my treatment of leather work in
imitation of Swiss carving and also applying gilding to the same. I then went
on with painting & staining glass and afterwards etched and coloured many
varied, subjects suitable for the magic lantern as shown by my collection. I
also took out a patent for introducing day and night effects to the stereoscope
And pollyeidoscope?? By both of which I lost money.
I completed three elaborate illuminative?? in colour &
gilt, many parts burnished. The Revd Raines, Librarian of Durham hearing of
them borrowed them and kept them. After his death l applied. For them and never
received them. It was he who wrote the Life of St Cuthbert which I have.
August 2nd 1871
This day had an interview with Mr Michael Proctor (Collector
of Rates) respecting the late talented Mr William Dixon, formerly scenic
painter at The Old Theatre, Dury Lane, Newcastle on Tyne. About the year 1808
he filled the situation of scenic painter to William Macready and executed the
principle scenes of the theatre which were unrivalled. They were afterwards
removed to the new Theatre Royal where they never failed to charm the man of
taste and connoisseur. They began to wear shabby with long use, they were
painted out and inferior works substituted in their place I regret to say.
One of the most charming and wonderful productions in Art
that left his pencil is the Royal Arms, about 30 feet long which were presented
by the proprietor to my dear Father, Thos Small and are now in my possession. In
drawing and deceptive? painting it stands alone. Many a wager has been lost and
won upon it!
I also possess some sketches of by Mr Dixon and a small
portrait in oil of my father, the figure of Christ which was executed by John
Gibson for the large windows in St Nicholas Cathedral the head was painted by
Wm Dixon. He also painted many portraits of his friends. He was the companion
of old T.M.Richardson and George T.W Carmichael, Ewbank and others. The
splendid act drop was drawn by John Dobson Esq and painted by William Dixon. He
was a gentleman kind hearted & liberal.
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