JOHN EDGAR STILLMAN
ONE HUNDRED YEARS IN THE FAMILY

From the Local Chit-Chat column of the Newbury Weekly News, 3rd March, 1927

This month and year marks the centenary of the Stillman family's official association with the Parish Church. Four generations have successively held the position of parish clerk, which in later years appears to have lapsed in actual appointment, and is now designated as vestry clerk and verger. In former times it was an important office, carrying a freehold vote, and involving responsible duties. The occupants of the office have been:-

1827-1864: George Stillman
1864-1881: John Redford Stillman
1881-1910: John Edgar Stillman
1911- .. : William George Stillman

George Stillman, who was a typical old parish clerk of the venerable order, was born in 1795, being the grandson of Shute Stillman, who was married in Newbury Parish Church in 1762. George was apparitor to Dr. Samuel Wilberforce, Bishop of Oxford, and travelled the diocese with him, the wand which he carried being still in the possession of the family. George was factotum to Dr. Binney during his Rectorate, and his sonorous responses were quite impressive.

SUCCESSORS IN THE OFFICE
John Stillman, who succeeded in 1864, was well-known in local life, and particularly in connection with Christ's Hospital in the days when the scholars were elected by the Vestry. John was well informed as to the pedigree of West Kindred, and supplied them with particulars necessary to qualify for election to the school or for pensions.

John was a Freemason and Hearts of Oak member.

One of his recreations was to fatten crayfish in the mill-tail, and despatch to Sweeting's London restaurant, where they were regarded as great delicacies.

At his death in 1881 he was succeeded bu his son Edgar, and on his retirement, the appointment went to William George, a grandson of George and an old Christ Hospital boy. He is still in possession, carrying on the traditions of the family which for a hundred years has been so closely linked with the parish church.

FOUNDED A FAMILY IN AMERICA
George Stillman's brother Thomas emigrated to theUnited States, and there founded an American family, which has made much money and some amount of fame. The Newbury representatives have never yet been successful in establishing the connection sufficiently to share in the millions, and have had to earn their own livings.

Newbury has always been the home of the family, although the name is to be seen here and there in various parts of the country, where the family have carried it in search of fortune.

The Late Mr. Edgar Stillman.
The death of Mr. John Edgar Stillman, which occurred at Norfolk-villas, Clifton-road, early on Tuesday morning, removes the third member of a family which held the parish clerkship of Newbury.

His grandfather, George, whose period of office extended back into the rectorate of the Rev. James Roe, died in 1864, and John Redford, who succeeded him, held it to 1881, when his son, John Edgar, was appointed.

He resigned in 1911, through ill-health, and during the last ten years has been failing. He was an ardent musician, and was organist at Shaw Church, also to the daily choir at St. Nicholas. A skilled change-ringer at St. Nicholas, nothing delighted him more than to take his place among the members of the Guild in the tower when a peal was in progress, and his love for the bells, indeed, everything connected with the old church, was very great.

It was with the greatest sorrow that he was obliged to sever his official connection therewith. During his long illness he has been devotedly nursed by his sister, Mrs. Peerless. The funeral takes place tomorrow afternoon at three o’clock in Newbury cemetery.

The late Mr. John Edgar Stillman.
The funeral of the late John Edgar Stillman, formerly parish clerk, whose death was reported last week, took place on Friday afternoon at Newbury cemetery.

The Rector (Rev. L. R. Majendie) officiated, and amongst those present were Mrs Peerless (sister), Rev. A. Blissard Barnes, Messrs. Adrian Hawker and R. Martin. jun. (church wardens of St. Nicholas), Messrs. F. H. Stillman, W.G. Stillman, T. H. Stillman, Mr. and Mrs. F. J. Stillman, Mr. David Geater, Mr. Edward Geater, Rev. J. H. and Mrs. Green, Mrs. A. Church, Miss Kate Harrison, Mrs. Whiteman, Mrs. G. Walters, Mr. and Mrs. B. Walters, Mrs. Evett, Mrs. Cottrell and Mrs. New.

The internment was in the grave of his father, mother and brother, and close to the grave of his grandfather, who was parish clerk of Newbury for 38 years.

The plain oak coffin was inscribed: “John Edgar Stillman, died April 5th, 1921, aged 64.”

Floral offerings placed on the coffin included those by his sister, composed of primroses from her garden, a wreath from Mr. Harry Parsons, an old friend, Mr. C. Crawford, and Mr. and Mrs. Whiteman.

The intimation had been given that flowers should not be sent. During the funeral the Parish Church ringers paid a tribute of respect to their late colleague by ringing a full-muffled peal and a half-muffled peal in the evening. The funeral arrangements were carried out by Messrs. Hart and sons.