Edward Spurge (Brother of Walter)

Edward was born on 20^th September 1844 in Clare Suffolk. Like the rest of his family he went into the drapery business, and lived and in Dovercourt, Essex.  His Business (E Spurge & Son) was based in Witham which he ran for 60 years.  His Son Harold Cooper Spurge also ran a drapery business based in Dovercourt. When Edward retired Harold Cooper Spurge carried on both businesses.

Edward was also a keen horticulturist, and a grower of Chrysanthemums.  He had been a successful exhibitor of Chrysanthemums at the Royal Aquarium in Chelmsford, Essex. He died on 14^th August 1936 still living at Dovercourt.

Chelmsford Chronicle 21 August 1936

Death of Mr E Spurge – Veteran Witham Tradesman

The death occurred on Friday night at his residence, Normanhurst, Dover Court, of Mr Edward Spurge in his 92nd year. He carried on the well known drapery and millinery firm of E Spurge and Son, at Witham, for sixty years, and for a time he was also associated with the Dovercourt premises of his son, Mr H C Spurge, draper, eetc., at Dovercourt. He retired from business in 1923, since when the businesses have been carried on by his son. The deceased went to live at Dovercourt, but continued his interest in Witham. He was a kindly genial man, and will be missed by many. He was a keen horticulturist, and a great grower and lover of chrysanthemums. It was not uncommon sight to see in his gardens and greenhouses as many as 200 magnificent blooms at one time. He had been a successful exhibitor of chrysanthemums at the Royal Aquarium, at Chelmsford, and other shows.
His wife predeceased him 16 years. There are two sons, Mr H C Spurge and Mr H S Spurge, and one daughter, Mr Platten.
The funeral was on Wednesday, the vicar, the Rev. C W Barlow, officiating. The internment was in a grave beside that of the late Mrs Spurge.
The mourners were: Mr Harold C Spurge, and Mrs H C Spurge son and daughter in law; Mr Herbert Spurge son; Mrs Platten, daughter; Mr F H Cawston (Watford) nephew; Mr & Mrs Petts (Shenfield) nephew and niece; Mr and Mrs Arnold (Chelmsford) nephew and niece.
Employees from Witham premises, Mr J Stiff (manager), Miss C Phillips, Miss L Nightingale and Miss D Crosby, formed a guard of honour as the coffin was taken into the church.
Others present included: Mr H Godfrey and Mr G Hammond (two old employees) and Mrs Pavelin (also an old domestic employee); Mr H B Peecock, Mr and Mrs Percy Brown, Mrs Walter Gardner, Miss Church, the Misses Murrells, Mr George Ottley, Miss Ottley, Mr A E Bridge, Mr and Mrs H D Sheldrake (Chelmsford), Mrs M Stoneham, Mrs Hunt, Mr J Porter, Mr E Chaplin, Mrs James Taber, Mrs Oakley, Miss Blyth, Mrs Sainty, Miss Succamore, Mrs Fisher, Mrs Lee, Mrs Lindley Howlett, Mr C Fairhead, Mrs C E Richards, Miss Algar, Mrs Nightingale, Mr Abbott and Mr L Abbott (Streatham), Mrs Phillips, Mrs C English, Nurse Wood, Miss Annie Wood and others.
The floral tributes included one from the Staff of Ed. Spurge and Co. Witham.

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Australian and New Zealand Gazette – Nov 8, 1879

List of Passengers – Departures – Walter Spurge is listed as sailing per New Zealand Shipping Co.’s “Maraval” with Captain Robert Ramsey at the helm

New Zealand Colonist Newspaper – 22nd Dec 1888

Cruelty to Ducks – T.R. Hodder of Richmond, was summoned by the police for cruelty to animals in sending away two cases of ducks packed in such a manner as to give unnecessary pain to the ducks.
Sergt White conducted the case for the prosecution, and Mr Pitt appeared for the defence.
Thomas Hall, railway clerk, gave evidence as to the receipt of the two cases, one 61/4in deep to 71/2in and 2ft 8in x 4ft 8in, and the other 71/2in to 73/4in deep and 2ft 6in x 4ft 31/2in. The ducks could not stand upright in these cases or coops. There was no food for them.
Charles McGavin gave similar evidence.
Constable Phair deposed to moving the two coops of ducks. The top battens pressed on the backs of the ducks, which were squatting down. There was neither food nor water with the coops.
Mr Pitt opened the case for the defendant, and called Walter Spurge, who deposed that the had been in the employ of Hodder & Co, of Richmond for six years, and he had never had complaints from their customers except in two cases during that time. Mr Steer, of Greymouth, to whom the ducks were sent, reported by telegram that the birds had arrived in splendid condition. He considered the cases high enough, and with plenty of room. They were carefully packed, and he didn’t think they suffered at all except from being confined. There were three pairs less ducks went away that were received in those coops from the Montero.
His Worship said that as this was the third conviction against Mr Hodder, he would fine him £1 and costs 18s.

Wellington N.Z Passenger List

Walter, Draper, and Mary Spurge are listed amongst the passengers on 16th May 1904