James and William Child: papers (catalogued)

The archive includes James Child's retrospective memoir and journal covering the period 1850s-1920s, during which time he worked as under-gardener at Claremont, Esher, then as head gardener at a series of private gardens in Surrey, Middlesex and Hertfordshire. He describes gardening practices and the gardens where he worked, commenting also on wider society, politics, Ireland, the Franco-Prussian War and the effects of the First World War. The archive also includes digital copies of photographs of James Child and his family, and the gardening diary of his son, William, compiled during the 1930s.

James Child (1838-1924) was born in Pyrford, Surrey. His father Charles was a boot maker and his mother ran the family farm. He started his horticultural career as apprentice at Langhedge Nursery, run by his uncle, Charles Woolven, in Upper Edmonton, Middlesex. Later he worked briefly as under-gardener at Woodside, Esher, Surrey, before his appointment as one of 21 gardeners at Claremont, Esher, Surrey. Over his five years at Claremont Child worked his way through each department and gained experience in every aspect of horticulture. At 25 he married Fanny Youatt, with whom he had eight children. After leaving Claremont, he was appointed head gardener at a series of private gardens: Thames Villa, Sunbury, Middlesex; Brackley Lodge, Oatlands Park, Weybridge, Surrey; Lebanon House, Twickenham, Middlesex; Garbrand Hall, Ewell, Surrey; and Houndswood, St Albans, Hertfordshire. He eventually retired to Epsom, where he worked as a landscape gardener and florist, and built and owned property in association with family members.

Source: Original items in the archive

William Child (26 Feb 1875-9 Jun 1960) was born in Ewell, Surrey, the son of James and Fanny Child. He worked as a carpenter and joiner. In 1900 he married Evelyn Mary Wicks in Epsom and they had six children: Frank, George, Phyllis, Christine, Alan and William Edward.

Source: Ancestry.co.uk

The archive includes digital images of original photographs and of a trophy not held by the Lindley Library.

Open for consultation. Readers are asked to take care due to the fragile nature of the original material. It is essential to check opening hours and make an appointment.

Donated by Gill Cunningham, great-granddaughter of James Child, in 2012 and 2014. Item reference CHI/1/1/2 was donated by Frank Child in 1975.

The Lindley Library descriptive catalogue, available on-line via the Archives Hub, and as a paper copy in the Research Room.

The memoir of James Child was written in an exercise book. The pages were completely separated from each other when the item was donated, the paper is brittle, and the item must be handled with the utmost care.

Catalogued by Liz Taylor, RHS Lindley Library archivist, in September 2014. Biographical history compiled by Jennian Geddes and research assistance provided by Ann Thornham, RHS Lindley Library volunteers.

Copyright owned by the donor was assigned to the RHS.

The memoir and gardening diary have been in the possession of the Child family since their creation.

The original photographs and trophy, digital images of which are included in this archive, were in the possession of Gill Cunningham as at Sep 2014.

The original photographs and trophy, digital images of which are included in this archive, were in the possession of Gill Cunningham as at Sep 2014.