1866 - 1917 (51 years)
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| Name |
Forbes Alexander PHILLIPS |
| Birth |
1866 |
Hartlepool Co Durham  |
|
| Gender |
Male |
| Burial |
1917 |
- Find a Grave website Memorial ID 270945452
Birth 6 Feb 1865 Hartlepool
Death 29 May 1917 (aged 52) Gorleston-on-Sea
Burial Gorleston Cemetery
Additional notes from website:-
Forbes Alexander Phillips was born in Hartlepool, Durham in 1865. He was the son of George Phillips, of H.M. Civil Service, and Barbara Phillips (née Lightfoot). He was baptised at St. Hilda's Church, Hartlepool on 4th September 1865. He was educated at Durham University, and privately. He was ordained a Deacon in 1889 and a Priest in 1890 by the Bishop of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
In 1892 he married Helena Bell in Tynemouth, Northumberland and was appointed Vicar of Gorleston on 17th July the following year. He was a remarkable personality and became well known during the almost 25 years he was in the role. He held controversial views of the church and was often in the local papers as a result. On one occasion he ended up in court after breaking up a meeting of preachers with whom he did not agree.
From 1895 he wrote comedies under the pen name of Athol Forbes. He also made contributions to many newspaper and magazines. He was well connected in the theatre world.
In 1905 he was received in audience by the Pope. His love of drama and the stage brought actresses and singers to contribute to his evening services. In 1908 he wrote, organised and presented a Pageant which included Druids, Romans, Queen Boudicca, the Knights Templar and the Restoration of King Charles II. In 1909 he wrote The Romance of Smuggling in which he referred to old tunnels beneath his vicarage which led to the riverside.One of his most characteristic books was Cassock and Comedy in which he sketched out the lighter side of clerical life.
His services were of an advanced type, but his church was always crowded. He was a determined opponent of prohibition and liquor control, and always insisted on his right to go into a public house to enjoy a pint of beer. He was concerned about local fishermen and often drank with them in the Gorleston public houses.
He lived with his wife and two daughters at 246 High Street, Gorleston, a triangular site at the junction of Back Chapel Lane. The Rev. Forbes Phillips died on 29th May 1917 at the age of 52.
By Stewart Adams
Inscription
To the glory of God and sacred to the memory of the Rev. Forbes Alexander Phillips 25 years Vicar of this Parish and Rector of Southtown who died 29th May 1917 aged 51 years.
|
| Death |
29 May 1917 |
- Ancestry Wills and Probate
Rev Forbes Phillips of the Vicarage Groleston Suffolk clerk died 29th May 1917 Probate Ipswich 9th Jul 1917 to Mary Forbes Cadbury (wife of Egbert Cadbury)
Effects £1614 14s 2d Resworn £ 1662 12s 1s
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| Person ID |
I24157 |
Main Tree |
| Last Modified |
25 Oct 2024 |
| Family |
Helena BELL, b. 29 Jan 1869, Blyth Northumberland |
| Marriage |
1892 |
Christ Church Tynemouth Northumberland |
- FreeBMD Dec 1892 Tynemouth 10b 304
Ancestry Select Marriages
|
| Children |
|
| Family ID |
F6208 |
Group Sheet | Family Chart |
| Last Modified |
14 Sep 2025 |
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| Notes |
- 1871 RG10 4916 6 at 17 Olive Street Hartlepool son single aged 6 born Hartlepool
1881 RG11 4702 120 at Sutton Street Goole son single pupil teacher aged 16 born Hartlepool
1891 RG12 4206 95 at 6 Oxford Street Newcastle upon Tyne boa in the household of Anne Lowes single clerk in Holy Orders curate of All Saints aged 26 born Hartlepool Noted as Faber A Phillips
1901 RG13 1814 147 at The Vicarage 246 High Street Gorleston head married clergyman CofE vicar aged 34 born Hartlepool
1911 RG14 11097 114 at 246 High Street Gorleston 11 rooms head married vicar of Gorleston aged 45 born Hartlepool
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Johnson Gibson Family History