Forum Topic

Charles James Cross (1827–1910)

Hello everyone, I’m hoping to tap into the group’s amazing local knowledge.I’m researching Charles James Cross (1827–1910), who played an important civic role in Brentford around the turn of the century. There’s some evidence that his name is inscribed on the foundation stones of the Swimming Baths, the Fire Station (1897), and the Library (1903).If anyone:• Has any historical info about these buildings or Charles Cross himself• Has photos of the foundation stones (especially if his name is visible)• Or might be willing to take a quick photo if you're nearby…that would be incredibly helpful. I’m trying to piece together his contributions to the town’s history, and even small details could make a big difference. Thanks so much for any help!Many ThanksNeill

Neill Reed ● 99d20 Comments

Well reseached Sarah. The OP should be well satisfied

Jim Lawes ● 74d

Might try the Masons historic records.From google.Masonic historical records, crucial for family history and organizational memory, primarily consist of digitized membership registers (like UGLE's 1751-1921 data on Ancestry.co.uk), early printed lists like Lane's Masonic Records (now digital), local lodge minute books, county records (under the Unlawful Societies Act), and biographical resources like TheGenealogist's Who's Who in Freemasonry, all accessible through institutions like the Museum of Freemasonry and online genealogy sites, providing rich details on members, lodges, and their activities. Key Resources for Finding RecordsMuseum of Freemasonry (London): Offers free access to UGLE membership registers (1751-1921) via Ancestry and holds vast archives of manuscripts, lodge histories, and journals.Ancestry.co.uk & TheGenealogist: Major subscription sites with digitized records, including UGLE membership indexes and specialized publications like Who's Who in Freemasonry.County Record Offices: Hold records deposited under the 1799 Act, listing members registered with the Clerk of the Peace, plus local lodge deposits.Digital Humanities Institute (DHI): Hosts an electronic version of Lane's Masonic Records, expanding to include post-1894 lodges. Types of Records AvailableMembership Registers: Comprehensive lists of members from Grand Lodges (e.g., UGLE), detailing names, dates, and lodge affiliations.Lodge Minute Books & Histories: Contain records of meetings, decisions, and member participation, often held locally or at the Museum.Printed & Digital Publications: Lane's Masonic Records, Who's Who, and other historical books offer deep biographical insights.Census Records: Can be cross-referenced with Masonic records for a fuller picture of a member's life.

Sarah Felstead ● 76d

Catalogue descriptionDeed of covenant and declaration of trustThis record is held by The London Archives: City of LondonSee contact detailsReference: ACC/1406/011Title: Deed of covenant and declaration of trustDescription: 1. Richard Turner now of Fleet House, near Weymouth Dorset, esq. 2. Thomas Cunnington, Charles James Cross and William Merriman all of Brentford, soap makers and copartners. 3. Samuel Potter of King Street, Cheapside,City of London gent. Premises: [as in Acc 1406/10] to be surrendered by (1) to (3) in trust for (2). Marginal plan. Consideration: £890.Date: 1874Held by: The London Archives: City of London, not available at The National ArchivesLanguage: English

Sarah Felstead ● 76d

National archives at Kew seem to have something under this name plus a note to the Unilever archives.Catalogue descriptionPostcard from Mr Charles Cross, Brentford to Lever Bros. Port Sunlight.This record is held by Unilever Archives and Records ManagementSee contact detailsReference: GB1752.LBC/2/100Title: Postcard from Mr Charles Cross, Brentford to Lever Bros. Port Sunlight.Description: A post card sent with the minute of the Soapmakers' Association 34th Annual Report held in June 1901. There is a Queen Victoria One Penny stamp franked with the date and place of postage with a black cross incorporated in the franking ccommemorating the death of Queen Victoria. 2 July 1901Note: Please Note: This collection is currently undergoing conservation work and some records maybe unavailable.Date: 1901Held by: Unilever Archives and Records Management, not available at The National ArchivesCreator: Leverhulme Business CorrespondencePhysical description: 1 item

Sarah Felstead ● 76d

Thank you for mentioning Charles's moustache and flower in his lapel Guy ... I've now found just the picture. He can be seen with a group of colleagues at meeting of the Brentford Library Committee in 1900ish.I'll upload that photo on the REAL BRENTFORD FACEBOOK page too.

Jim Lawes ● 79d

I have now located a photograph of the laying of the foundation stone at the Brentford Swimming Baths in 1895.The stone includes the name of Thomas Layton,Mr C J Cross and other noteables. Charles Cross's name is clearly visable ... indeed he is likely to be in the Photowhich I'll be posting on the REAL BRENTFORD FACEBOOK SITE.I'm not sure if the OP is still looking in.

Jim Lawes ● 79d

I received this message from our redoubtable local historian, Janet McNamara"In my years of researching all the Councillors from the start of the Brentford Local Board in the 1870s to the amalgamation with Chiswick about 1927 I find I have some notes about Councillor Charles James Cross (1827-1910).His obituary says he was in Brentford by the time he was 5 and was married and a teacher in Bristol by his early 20s. He worked with his father who had some connection with the soap works management and became secretary of the British School that was where the St Paul's extension is now. It was known about the town as the Rothschild School as that family from Gunnersbury helped support it.I found his name on the Evalina Plaque in the Museum years ago and have noted he was a JP by 1895 and must have been a Councillor shortly after then as his name is on the foundation stones at the Swimming Baths and the Fire Station. (circa 1897?) He appears to have been on the Library Committee as he's on that plaque in 1903.He and his wife had 10 children and he was survived by 8 of them. One of  his sons who died in 1935 was reported in the local paper as being the inventor of a process for making silk stockings!!CJ was a very distinguished looking gentleman with a bushy white moustache and a flower in his lapel."I can't see him on the Library plaque so I conclude Janet was looking at another one - will enquire because she is meticulous.Janet also observed "There's more in the Local Studies Library I think.localstudies@hounslow.gov.uk"

Guy Lambert ● 84d

OK I looked at all the places I know there are plaques yesterday.No Cross on the Brentford Monument, on the library, on the plaques either side of the Challis Road junction, not even on the chapel in New Road.Back to Janet if you are still searching!

Guy Lambert ● 93d

I was puzzled by your Westminster Hospital reference Sarah .. but I now realise that there does exist a "Evalina Children's Hospital in Westminster Bridge Road ... in Town.A visit to Gunnersbury Park Museum is in the pipiline to see that plaque.

Jim Lawes ● 94d

Jim.  I was wondering why Brentford names are on plaques as far as Westminster hospital?  The boards beside the ground floor cafe are pretty large and full of Brentford societies and people, all who made donations.

Sarah Felstead ● 96d

Old Press Cuttings about the gentleman have now been posted on the REAL BRENTFORD website by one of it's readers.The Gunnersbury Museum Plaque is called EVALINA.

Jim Lawes ● 96d

Charles was born in Bethnal Green,in East London on the 14the October and he died in Brentford on the 19th November 1910.He was married twice... firstly to Eliza (Sanders)Cross on 18th October 1864.He was a Soapmaker and worked for TB Rowe & Co at their local Soapworks.He lived for some time at No.1 The Mall,Boston Road, Brentford.He was a local JP on Brentford's Urban District Council and he was also a figurehead at the local British School.He appears in a group photograph at an occasion at Brentford Library in 1904.His name appears on a plaque ("Evslina") which is housed at tge Gunnersbury Park Museum ... or should be still.Janet McNamara is indeed an expert on this subject and believe she has access to a fine photograph of him ...which I'll upload onto the REAL BRENTFORD Facebook page ( as a new topic. See you there!

Jim Lawes ● 97d

Sorry this is spread out, busy.  I googled middlesex records office and it explains how there are numerous records offices for Middlesex, then lists them.

Sarah Felstead ● 98d

I seem to think that the Middlesex records are held in Woking?

Sarah Felstead ● 98d

Also, these committees you mention, would their meeting information  be stored somewhere?

Sarah Felstead ● 98d

There were more standing stones with names on them tucked in the garssed area in front of the drop off point at The West Middx.  If they have been removed then try perhaps try that charity .

Sarah Felstead ● 98d

Thanks Guy,Much appreciatedNeill

Neill Reed ● 98d

Neill I took a look at the Sewage pumping station in Pump Alley (near where I live) and has a stone with members of the Brentford Local Board 1883. No Charles Cross. The other places I know of similar engravings are the monument outside the County Court, and plaques in Ealing Road  on houses either side of Challis Road. The local histiry guru is Janet McNamara jmcbrentford@hotmail.com. SHe is usually delighted to help!

Guy Lambert ● 99d

Should sayThere are some very old distinguished paintings of founding people along the walls of the basement floor at Westminster hospital.The wall plaques seem to list all Brentford folk so we obviously had a strong link with the establishing of the hospital.  You might find the name you are looking for, on those lists or maybe even a portrait.

Sarah Felstead ● 99d

There were a pile of boards on the ground floor of Westminster hospital listing people and organisations from Brentford who had donated to the setting up of the hospital.  I am not sure if they are still there.  There is a charity who looks after all these historical records, I think I saw a leaflet about it a few years ago when at the hospital.Incidentally there are some very distinguished paintings of feuding people along the walls of the basenenytbgloorvstcWestminster hospital.  When I went there they were hung along the corridor where the blood tests were taken and where the restaurant was.

Sarah Felstead ● 99d