Robert Asher: papers

The archive consists of letters to Robert Asher mainly relating to his career as gardener and head gardener, including references and letters of application and appointment, a journal, personal letters and papers including his will, and papers relating to family members including Emmeline Hack whom he married in 1904. The papers track Asher's career from journeyman in 1883 to foreman in 1890 and head gardener in 1895, and provide evidence of how employment was sought and obtained in the gardening profession at the time. Letters provide evidence of gardens including at Brougham Hall, Penrith, Collett Hall, Ware, and Quendon Hall, Newport, Essex. By 1911 Asher had returned to Bradford on Avon, and thereafter his occupation is described as jobbing gardener, florist, nurseryman, seedsman, and in 1939, master florist.

Robert Asher (1865-1958), son of farm carter James Asher and Mary Topp, was born in West Lavington, Wiltshire, on 15 Oct 1865. The 1881 census shows the family living at 8 Poulton Place, Bradford on Avon; Robert Asher’s occupation, gardener. In 1891 he was employed as garden foreman at Brougham Gardens, Brougham, Penrith, living with three gardeners in the Gardener’s House, Brougham Garden.

Robert Asher married Emmeline Hack in Shirehampton, Gloucester, on 24 Sep 1895; his residence is given as Musley, Ware, his occupation, gardener. Their daughter Edith Emmeline was born in Ware in 1896. The 1901 census shows them living at 49 Westmill Road, Ware; Robert Asher’s occupation, gardener.

The 1911 census shows the family living at 57 Trowbridge Road, Bradford on Avon; occupation, jobbing gardener and florist. In 1915 Robert Asher was trading as nurseryman and seedsman at 6 The Shambles, Bradford on Avon. By 1920 he had moved to 9 St Margaret Street, Bradford on Avon.

The 1939 Register shows the family still living at 57 Trowbridge Road; occupation, master florist. Robert Asher of 258 Trowbridge Road, Bradford on Avon died on 16 Feb 1958.

Robert Asher's extended family:

In 1891 James and Mary Asher lived at 63 Trowbridge Road, Bradford on Avon, and their son James (1860-1950) lived at 64 Trowbridge Road.

Probate records show James Asher of 63 Trowbridge Road, Bradford on Avon, farm carter, died on 12 Dec 1904; probate to Mary Asher, widow, James Asher, carpenter, and Robert Asher, gardener. Effects £278 16s.

Emmeline Asher’s mother, Elizabeth Hack, née Adham, died in Jan 1903. Her father Charles James Hack of 57 Trowbridge Road, Bradford on Avon, died in 1911.

Source: Online birth, marriage, death and probate records. Kelly’s Directory of Bradford on Avon.

Papers of Robert Asher were separated out from those of other family members. Within those two divisions papers were ordered chronologically.

ASH/1 Papers of Robert Asher

ASH/2 Papers of Robert Asher's family

Open

Open for consultation at the Lindley Library London. It is essential to check opening hours and make an appointment. Readers are asked to take care due to the fragile nature of the original material. Readers are required to wear protective gloves when consulting objects, art or photographic material.

Purchased from James Paul and Tony Mulholland Books and Manuscripts of Firle, East Sussex, in August 2021

The Lindley Library archive catalogue, available online via the Archives Hub, and as a paper copy in the research room.

Catalogued by Liz Taylor, RHS archivist, in February 2022, with documentation and packaging assistance given by Mara Uzzell, and research assistance given by Ann Thornham, RHS Lindley Library volunteers.

All papers were retained

One photograph has had a sticker placed on it 'The Auction House 01308 459400 320, 25/6/21' [Bridport Auction House]. The seller was unable to provide additional provenance information and the auction house did not respond to enquiries as at Aug 2021