William Sams (buried 1937)

Great Bardfield lay on the River Pant in north-west Essex. Mentioned in the Domesday Book there was also evidence of earlier Roman occupation. From 1262 an annual horse fair was held, and by the 14^th century it was a thriving medieval market town. The Black Prince Edward of Woodstock (15^th June 1330 - 8^th June 1376, the eldest son of King Edward Third) hunted in the nearby deer parks. William Bendlowes Elizabeth 1 Sergeant-at-Law (an order of barristers at the English Bar,) despite being a Catholic, endowed the village with schools, an almshouse, and made annual bequests to the poor. By the time of William Sams’ birth the village was religiously non-conformist. Having a strong Quaker and Methodist presence their heterodox faiths had survived the persecutions of the late 18^th century alongside resident Catholics.

Taylors Farm was named for the Taylor family who owned nearby Castle Cottage and the ground of Waytemore Castle (originally of classic Norman motte and bailey construction.) Hadham Road was the hub of the malting industry in the area each malthouse being operated by one or two people.

The name Albury derived from ald (old) and bush (fortification). Originally known as Eldeberei it lies on the Essex border five miles from Great Stortford. Home to the 14^th century church dedicated to St. Mary (where Betsy was presumably baptised) and Albury Hall where the: ‘Religious, Just and Charitable’ Sir Edward Atkins, Knight & Baron of the Exchequer died in 1699.

WRITINGS OF WILLIAM SAMS

PRODUCTION UNDER GLASS I see that Mr. W. Sams, a Worthing grower who gave evidence before the Departmental Committee on Fruit-Culture, said in his statement: ‘I am a firm believer that a working man by himself and his son, perhaps, or one hand, will hold his own, when I and others, who have larger premises, are out of it.’ Asked if that applied to glass-houses, Mr. Sams replied: ‘Yes… A working man will be able to live and place himself in a better position than if he was a day-labourer or working for a master he will not mind what hours he puts in at the work; but I do not believe it will pay a man with capital, certainly at the present moment, to go into the business,’ especially, as Mr. Sams had previously explained, in face of ‘ free imports.’ A more legitimate grievance is the burden of local rates, the average assessment for which on glass-houses in the borough of Worthing works out at 117 per acre. Mr. Sams was especially forcible on this point in the evidence he gave before the Departmental Committee: ‘Every pound of fruit,’ he said, ‘that I send into market is weighted with a certain amount of rates and taxes. Every pound I send to London bears a proportion of rates and taxes. Of course, it is infinitesimal on a pound, but there it is, and the foreigner sends his produce here without any of those burdens.’

Early Production at Worthing

Favoured with a mild and equable climate, abundance of sunshine, and a soil admirably suited to the vine, the Worthing district seems to be an ideal one for the hot-house industry, and especially for the production of early grapes. The soil is a deep loam over a subsoil of chalk or chalky marl, mixed with flints. The land chiefly valued by nurserymen is a strip of splendid alluvial soil which runs through Worthing, 6 ft. in depth. Land suitable for nurseries sells at 300/-. to 500/. per acre, and lets at about 71. if arable, or at a higher rent if old turf. William was also active as a pillar the local community becoming a Justice of the Peace (magistrate). He also wrote to the local Burgesses of Worthing in the Worthing Herald on 29^th October 1890 regarding extending the local urban water supply to outlying areas of the town and the creation of recreation grounds for public use. Mr. William Sams, of West Worthing, who was the fourth man to engage in the hot-house industry in the district, was very obliging in affording me information. Forty years ago, he stated, there was hardly any glass in the neighbourhood, and it was not until 24 years ago that a substantial growth took place. At the latter period there was less than one acre covered with glass; whereas, last summer, the extent rated in Worthing and the parishes adjoining it, and using Worthing station, was 2,473,000 sq. ft. Allowing for the pitch of roofs, this expanse is equivalent to 45 acres of land actually covered with glass last summer, and by the present time, probably, at least 50 acres are covered. If all the nurseries on either side of Worthing from Southwick, near Shoreham, to Littlehampton, about 85 miles of coast-line, be included, it may be estimated, according to one authority, that 70 acres are covered with glass. Book on Agriculture produced in 1906

92 PRODUCTION UNDER GLASS

I see that Mr. W. Sams, a Worthing grower who gave evidence before the Departmental Committee on Fruit-Culture, said in his statement : 1 am a firm believer that a working man by himself and his son, perhaps, or one hand, will hold his own, when I and others, who have larger premises, are out of it.' Asked if that applied to glass-houses, Mr. Sams replied: ' Yes. ... A working man will be able to live and place himself in a better position than if he was a day-labourer or working for a master he will not mind what hours he puts in at the work; but I do not believe it will pay a man with capital, certainly at the present moment, to go into the business,' especially, as Mr. Sams had previously explained, in face of ' free imports.' A more legitimate grievance is the burden of local rates, the average assessment for which on glass-houses in the borough of Worthing works out at 117 per acre. Mr. Sams was especially forcible on this point in the evidence he gave before the Departmental Committee - ' Every pound of fruit,' he said, * that I send into market is weighted with a certain amount of rates and taxes. Every pound I send to London bears a proportion of rates and taxes. Of course, it is infinitesimal on a pound, but there it is, and the foreigner sends his produce here without any of those burdens.'

Worthing Gazette - 29th October 1890

To the Burgesses of the Borough of Worthing (West Ward) Ladies and Gentleman, I beg to offer myself as a Candidate to represent you on the Council of the newly formed Borough. For some years past I have had the honour of being one of your Commissioners. If my service in that capacity has met with your approval i again solicit your interest and votes. In me brief address to you in March, 1888, I urged the importance of the Water Supply for this district being in the hands of our local authority; that every means should be used to bring the rural portions of our Parish under Urban Sanitary control; and the extension of the roadside tree planting. Earnest efforts have been made to come to terms for the purchase of the Water Works and Baths - so far, I regret to say, without success. Negotiations are still pending with the Company, and will, I trust be continued by the Corporate Authority and brought to a successful issue. - This is, in my opinion, the most burning question affecting the Ward. By the Charter of Incorporation, rural Heene is brought under urban control, and effectual steps can now be taken to close, or demolish, certain insanitary dwellings in our midst. The roadside tree planting has been carried out where practicable, adding much to the beauty of our neighbourhood. One other matter of great interest to our Ward is the acquisition, while opportunity presents, of a recreation ground. This would be a great boon to the many Schools in the Ward, and the teeming of juvenile population of Montague Street and Clifton Road. Few of the many schemes now before the public, and which if, carried out, will involve a large expenditure of money - almost alarming to the ratepayers - have hitherto been of urgent importance to this district. The Central Road would be of some benefit to a small part of this Ward, but private enterprise has recently done much to neutralise the advantage of that scheme by the newly made roads running from Richmond Road to Heene Road. Still, I am of the opinion that any scheme of improvement likely to benefit the body corporate should receive the thoughtful attention and, if possible, the support of your representatives. I do not intend to canvas for votes - the system is most objectionable - but should you do me the honour of electing me as one of your representatives, I shall endeavour, as in the past, to prove myself worthy of your confidence. Your faithful servant, William Sams Stortford House, Manor Road, Oct. 14th 1890