Joseph Scates Review July 2009.pdf - Joseph Scates Concertinas

Little is known of Scates’ personality, but some small insight may be deduced from his prosecution of an
employee ‘having left his employment contrary to agreement by which he (Scates) was seriously
inconvenienced’ Mr John Thomas David ( the employee in question) quoted as being paid 28 shillings a
week, was subsequently fined £2 which if not paid would result in one month in prison. 96
Scates had some issues with the members of the Theatre Royal Orchestra - ‘the members also take this
present opportunity of informing the Patrons and pupils of Mr Scates, and the public of the reason that
gentleman’s withdrawing his name from the concert, which was simply the accidental omission of his name
in the first announcement, which when perceived they visited on Mr Scates - explained, apologised and
offered reparation - but he would not receive either apology or explanation. They, therefore had no
alternative but to withdraw his name from the programme.’ They (members of the orchestra) thanked the
gentleman of the press ‘to whom they owe a deep obligation for their generous support.’ 97
Scates had an active involvement with St. Andrew’s Church, Blackrock, Dublin (where the birth of his
second son Harry Wilton’s birth was registered in 1864). Scates is mentioned in a newspaper article entitled
‘EASTER VESTRIES, St. ANDREWS PARISH’ which states that ‘The vestry took place at twelve
o’clock 98 , where Joseph Scates is listed as ‘overseer of Public houses’ along with nine other men. 99
Although Scates said that ‘he had no intention of leaving Ireland’ see note 94 it is probable that he
recognised ‘promise’ in his daughter, Linda’s Piano-forte playing and it may be that his ‘retirement wholly
from business’ enabled him to devote more time to contribute to Linda’s tuition in Piano-forte and
Concertina. Linda won a free scholarship to The Royal Academy of Music on October 13 th 1866. 100 Contrary
to his earlier statement about not leaving Ireland, he seems to have uprooted his family and moved to
England, accompanying Linda to London.
In 1867 was living at 68, Gloucester Crescent, Regents Park. see note 52. In the census returns for 1871 101
Joseph Scates, Mary Ann (wife), Fred, Linda, Annie F. and Harry W. are listed at 69, Gloucester Crescent,
Regents Park. This move took place between February 1870 and February 1871. 102 (this entry is the first
mention of fourth son, Harry Wilton Scates) the census return also lists Joseph Scates as ‘Professor of the
Violin.’
In the newspaper article it says ‘in her entry on the books for the competition she was described as “Pianist,
pupil of Dr. Stewart, and daughter of Mr. Joseph Scates, Oboist, late of Dublin”.’
Linda went on to be a concert pianist of some note.
Scates’ skill as an instrumentalist encompassed, Piano-forte, Harmonium, Concertina, Oboe and Violin. That
he played Oboe and Violin only seems to have come to light on his return to England. 103
I created the Scates family tree more by accident than design. During my research into Joseph Scates, I kept
encountering members of his family and not wanting to lose track of them, it seemed reasonable to put them
into tree form to help me remember who was who. This tree just seemed to grow.
I find it interesting to note the families social progression from Joseph Scates (Manufacturer and Professor of
the Concertina) who started as a reed maker and tuner, via a music professor (his daughter Linda), her
daughter (Sylvia) who was the wife of a Baronet and through that union to another Baronet (Sylvia’s son,
Richard Leslie the 3 rd Baronet).
Whilst it is not absolutely certain where Scates originally obtained finance to start his business see note 63
and although Scates retired ‘wholly from the music business’ aged 47, he seems to have prospered in his
various enterprises over the years, as did his daughter and granddaughter in their turn.
Joseph Scates’ ‘effects’ in his will were valued in 1899 (the year of his death) at £1,158-7s-11d (equivalent to
over £484,000 in 2006). Probate was granted to Samuel Roberts Legg
51, Freshfield Road, Kemp Town Brighton, Sussex (Executor) on 5 th February 1900. 104
Linda’s ‘effects’ valued in 1915 at £2,421-19s-9d (equivalent to £725,000 in 2006). Sylvia’s ‘effects’ valued
96 Freemans Journal and Commercial Advertiser November 25 th 1859 Vol. XCVII page 4
97 Freemans Journal and Commercial Advertiser July 4 th 1855 Vol. LXXXVIII page 1.
98 ‘vestry’ in this usage refers to aspects of the administration of the Parish.
99 Freemans Journal and Commercial Advertiser April 18 th 1854 Vol. LXXXVII page 4.
100 Belfast News-Letter October 25 th 1866 No. 33511, CXXIX, page 4.
101 Census returns for 1871 TNO:PRO.
102 Derived from a list of Bankers Returns published in the London Gazette in the relevant years
103 The announcement of Joseph Scates death in The Era December 30 th 1899 Vol. 63 No3197 page 16 lists him as an oboist. see
note 52.
104 London Gazette (online) 13 th February 1900 page 34.