Those refugees that arrived in Liverpool from Constantinople on the 4th March, left Liverpool on the 20th to America with passage paid and 8 shillings incentive not to stay in England.
The “Charles Crooker” 960 tons, owned by Messrs C & W.D. Crooker, Captain Charles Crooker Duncan, arrived in New York around April 20th, the refugees were highly complimentary regarding Captain Duncan.
20 Cherry Lane, Liverpool, 1851 census taken at the end of March
Polish refugees from the Hungarian campaign who landed at Liverpool on the 4th March 1851, on the Sardinian Brig “Arpia” 270 tons, (1) Captain Bartholetto direct from Constantinople, arrangements were made for them to stay at the Emigrants Home run by Mr Sabell at Moorfields. I have put in brackets those I know who went to the following towns which were Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Newcastle, Oldham, Preston, Rochdale, and York, I have short biographies on some on arrival, and details of a few that settled. I will add to this list, and some details of the meetings following their arrival in another blog. I will also publish the list of those who went to America. These lists were originally published in the “Demokrata Polski” that Stanislaw Worcell 1799-1857 contributed to, he assisted the refugees on arrival.
1. Ajehornowski Karol
2. Adamski Jan
3. Ajszteten Arsenius
4. Albertowski Adam (Gateshead, single, joiner, 1861 census)
Said to have come from a noble Polish family and fought in the November Uprising
1831 John with several other young men of his own age and rank arrived in London, in an all but a destitute condition. For some time they suffered great hardships, having actually had to sleep on the steps of St Martin le Grand Church, where Jazdowski found a shilling, with which he purchased a pencil and paper, and for some time managed to support himself by selling sketches, he was an artist of no mean order. According to his daughter Margaret he was sent to Aberdeen, where presumably he taught languages, which is how he met his wife as a pupil, her family were opposed to the marriage, but she did so anyway. Obituary mentions that he worked in Ireland before Aberdeen.
1852 Robert Gordon’s pay John £20 per year as language teacher. March 1852 Chaired the Rectoral Banquet, Earl of Airlie’s had been installed as a University Rector, and the Earl was given the freedom of Aberdeen. 1857 teaching languages at Marischal College (Aberdeen University).1861 census living at 120 Crown Street census states John as a British subject, unable to find papers to ratify this. 1863 Salary at Robert Gordon’s increased by £10 to £61 per year. October 1872 sale of belongings in Aberdeen. 1873 publication of revised Meadow’s Italian Dictionary by John Jazdowski.
1872 February resigns from Robert Gordon’s Hospital (School) donation of £50 from the school. Jazdowski wrote to the paper to state that £8 had been deducted from the donation as part of his salary. October sale of belongings of John senior at Aberdeen, including drawings, sketches, water colours, rifle and sword.
John married Margaret Gibb 15 January, 1837 in Dyce, Aberdeen, lived at 120 Crown Street, Aberdeen died 5th August, 1881, was living at Waterloo near Liverpool at time of death. Probate £2,787 buried with Margaret in Anfield cemetery
Anfield Cemetery grave of John and Margaret Jazdowski
Children
Bronislaw James Jazdowski Surgeon Colonel, born 1st May 1838 Dungannon, Northern Ireland, died 23rd November 1902 Rome. Took his medical degree at Marischal College, Aberdeen 1859, joined the forces in 1860 Served with the 93rd Highlanders, and the 13th Lancers.
1879 Initiated into the “Mayo Lodge” no. 1406 it appears to be a British military lodge, set up with a warrant from the Irish Grand Lodge.
1856/57 Student at Marischal College in the class of James Clerk Maxwell
1865 Engineer on the extension of the Formartine and Buchan railway
1871 census living Wales as an engineer
1881 census living with wife Jessie in Ontario
Madeline Jessie Jazdowski 1842 died December,1888. Baptised 24th July, 1842, Aberdeen. Lived at 16 Castleman Gardens, Surrey, with brother Bronislaw, buried Barnes, St Mary, Surrey.
Mary Margaret Jazdowski MBE baptised 28th May, 1844, Aberdeen, died 24th August 1922 England, lived in Italy where she engaged in charity work.
Grave of John Jazdowski 1845 – 1873 Almorah cemetery
John Alexander Jazdowski Baptised 25th November 1845 died 25th June, 1873 at 1 Almorah Crescent, St Helier, Jersey. Buried Almorah cemetery, St Helier, Jersey. In the 1881 census a notable Polish exile Jules Marylski is at number 2 Almorah Crescent, there does not appear to be any connection with Jazdowski.
Start of Almorah Crescent, number 1 now a hotel.
Notes
There appears to be no connection between the following: the 1843 death of John junior at living at number 1 Almorah Crescent the 1881 census has Polish exile Jules Marylski 1811-1888 at number 2.
1905 Picture of John Jazdowski senior published in a supplement of the Aberdeen Weekly Journal – 300 Celebrities
Alien arrivals:
327 Jazdowski Bergeo? Dover June 1834 (2018)
309 Jardowski Jan London 9 June 1832 (983)
Letter to Leonard Niedzwiedzki from Aberdeen 10th August, 1832
Robert Gordon was a merchant from Aberdeen who spent much of his life based in Poland. On retiring to Aberdeen, he decided to leave his considerable fortune to found a ‘Hospital’ for boys’ accommodation and education
Joseph was a native of Poznan (Posen), Poland, said to have been from a notable family, he fought in the Polish November uprising of 1830, and was a Captain. He is recorded in the Alien arrivals at Dover on the 10th September, 1833. The advert above is the first record of him we have in England, his business and abode was to eventually be at 21 Ryder’s Court, Leceister Square.
31st October 1836 at St Pancras, Joseph married Mary Ann Stratton born circa 1818 Clapham. They had one daughter Mary Ann born circa 1838 who married at St Anne’s, Soho to Stanilas Helcman (Jeweller) born circa 1835 son of Ignatius a builder, witness A Krashinski (Aloizy lived with Joseph at Ryders Court). 1837 Michalski tobacconist is noted as Princes street, Leicester Square (Morning Herald, 28 March).
1871 census has the couple living at 21 Ryder’s Court former home of Joseph, Stanislas is born in Poland, no children.
Polish National Lodge register
In 1846 Joseph becomes a founding member of the masonic “Polish National Lodge”, he was to become a master in 1853. The following is from an article in 1970 “Anglo Polish Masonica” by Maria Danilewicz: “All of these were certainly “Czartoryskians,” as Jan N. Janowski calls them in his memoirs. Another member of the Lodge, Captain Jozef Michalski was undoubtedly one of their number. He sold tobacco and cigars at 21 Ryder’s Court, Leicester Square, London; and the business must have been well conducted since the future French Emperor, Napoleon III, was one of his customers. An annex to his shop was used as a restaurant and billiard room where, according to Janowski “reactionaries” liked to meet. None the less, Janowski often dropped in at Michalski’s and it was there that he made the acquaintance of Prince Marceli Lubomirski. Michalski’s reputation was rather besmirched by the reputation that he set fire to his own business in order to collect insurance compensation. Michalski’s grave in Highgate cemetery, was recently renovated, once again on the initiative of B. Jezewski of the Polish Memorials Preservation Fund. “
Morning Advertiser Barman for Michalski 1849
1841 census : Joseph is living at Ryder’s Court with wife Mary Ann and Daughter, neighbour is a 30 year old Joseph Rosliski? Polish army officer. In 1848 Joseph visited Belgium with his wife and daughter. 1849 applied for and got British citizenship, stating he had lived in England for 14 years. 1851 census: Joseph is at Ryder’s Court with family and Xavier Stansilas Gorski? age 23 Hungarian refugee born Poland (member of Polish National Lodge 1852) , and Augustus Wiercinski age 25, Hungarian refugee, born Hungary. Joseph was a talented musican and known to entertain at masonic meetings, in 1844 an 18 year old William Blackburn was found guilty of stealing a violin belonging to Joseph from his shop, a Joseph Catraski Professor of Music of Poland Street was a witness to the theft.
From “Thrilling and instructive developments an experience of fifteen years as Roman Catholic Clergyman and Priest” by M B Czechowski on page 223, in 1851 we have “I took temporary residence in the “Hotel D’Europe” It is necessary to observe here, that there is a London Polish Literacy Society, then under the patronage of Lord Dudley Stuart, who was its president, and whose rooms are at 10 Sussex Chamber, Duke Street, St James. Its object is to assist Polish political refugees, while in London and give them free passage to America if they desire to go there. The secretary, Szulczewski, and Michalski, tobacconist, police of the society, both Jesuits, knew of my arrival in London, with my wife, and were determined to injure me in every possible way, Michalski discovered my residence, and the same evening, whilst I was absent, went to the proprietor of the hotel, and brought such false and wicked, accusations against myself and wife, that upon my return he expelled us from the house….. I also had the pleasure of a personal interview with Lord Dudley Stuart at his residence, and exposed to him the conduct of his secretary, Szulczewski, and the wicked Michalski. He was greatly surprised, and immediately gave orders that I should receive free passage to the United States.”
Leonard Nieźwiecki 1811-1892, was an early exile in England, and in his letters mentions Michalski: stating he was an accountant in France or Belgium, and saved up £120 and moved to England, after the Uprising he was known to have numerous short term relationships with women, which continued in London where he lived in poverty with a room with a mattress on the floor. His wife appears to be the friend of one of those women that rejected him due to his poverty, with the tobacco business his fortunes improved.
1861 census has Joseph having an assistant Aloizy Krasinski who in 1855 fought in the Crimean war as an artillery man in the Sultans Cossacks, and Feliks Nowosielski, in 1863 Nowosielski was treasurer of the Polish Fund Commitee giving Ryders Court as his address.
Gravestone at Highgate Cemetery, photo credit Tomasz Muskus
It would appear Joseph died in 1868 as there is a cremation record then, the death however was recorded in January 1869. There is a gravestone on “White Eagle Hill” at Highgate cemetery, which records Joseph and his wife Mary Ann who died in 1869. The stone was restored in modern times
The only known photograph of Jerzy Bulharyn held by the Societe Jersiaise
Jerzy “George” Skanderbeg Bulharyn born in Plaskowce in the Grodno region of Belarus, after his involvement in the “Spring of Nations” in the Hungarian Revolution he took refuge in Turkey, from where he sailed to Southampton arriving there in June, 1851 (1) , he retired to Jersey in 1852, where he wrote “Rys wojny węgierskiej” (Sketch of the Hungarian War) published Paris 1852, “Regulamin dla kawalerii polskie” (Polish Cavalary Regulations) in 1864.
Bulharyn is on 1871 census at Georgetown, and the 1881 census he is living at “Milton House” Georgetown, as in 1871 census he is boarding with a family originally from France called Poisson, he is buried next to the family at Almorah, this property no longer appears to exist. The following account from “The story of Jersey Freemasonry” by Colin R Goss.
The following is an application for funds from the local masonic lodge: the petitioner was George Bulharyn who was a Polish émigré aged 62 belonging to a French lodge, La Loge de St. Jean. He had already been relieved by Loge La Césarée to the amount of £2:
I George Bulharyn beg leave to illustrate my request, refraining from touching upon my topic out of the province of Freemasonry. By birth a Pole, aged 62 years, I took an active part in the war for Independence of Poland in 1831 against the Russian opposition. You know my worthy brethren, too well the history of that awful drama. Having failed our national endeavours, we left our native land. France offered us its hospitality. Besançon (Department du Doubs) was fixed for my depot, and there I was initiated on the 16th May 1832 in the lodge called “Constant Amitié” into the mysteries of Freemasonry.
In 1833 I was obliged to abandon the French territory and went to Galicia; a few months after I found shelter in Hungary where I remained until 1848. At that period Hungary rose in arms – I espoused its cause and fought its battles as General of a corps d’armie. Its national army being overpowered by Russians and Austrians, we were forced to refuge in Turkey.
The Government of the Sultan sent me in company of the illustrious Kossuth, Mezaros (2), and Perezil to . After Kütahya two years of our captivity being liberated, we set our foot on the free soil of England. In Jersey I have written a critical history of the Hungarian War and caused it to be printed, hoping to benefit by its sale, but unfortunately several hundred of the volumes were seized by the Police of Hamburg. That occurrence struck a fatal blow to my prospects. After having exhausted the last resources for the printing and my personal property having been sequestered by the late Emperor Nicholas. I find myself now reduced to such a low ebb as to claim the assistance of my brethren.
I have not the least doubt that acting upon the broad basis of “brotherly love relief and truth” you will take my distressed case into your Benevolent and Masonic consideration and grant me such relief as in your wisdom you may deem sufficient to soothe my sufferings and for having tendered your brotherly hand to me. I will as in duty bound, ever invoke the assistance of the Grand Architect of the Universe on all your undertakings.
The Royal Sussex Lodge supported the petition although most the signatures are those with positions in Provincial Grand Lodge, including the Deputy Provincial Grand Master. The petition was approved unanimously, and yet W.Bro Du Jardin protested against the decision on the grounds of illegality. The Provincial Grand Secretary under those unusual circumstances withdrew the petition.
In order to spare the feelings of the petitioner, who could not hear except with sorrow that a contest between the Worshipful Lodge of Benevolence and the Provincial Grand Treasurer should be carried on before the Grand Lodge of England on his account.
Grave of George Bulharyn, Almorah Cemetery, left Poisson family grave.
Military Career
He graduated from a school in Sejny . In 1817 he joined the 2nd Regiment as a soldier, in 1818 he was a non commissioned officer, 1820 he was at Cadet School, 1822 Second Lieutenant, 1826 dismissed for family reasons. Took part in the 1830 Uprising. Served under Jozef Chlopicki, organising two cavalary regiments, in 1831 he took part in the Battle of Ostrołęka led by General Skrzynecki, for his actions there he was rewarded with promotion to Major and given charge of the 7th Uhlan regiment, awarded the Gold Cross number 1808. Under General Łubieński he fought at the Battle of Nur . As Major of the 1st regiment of the Augustów cavalry he rejected the Russian truce with amnesty. In October 1831 with Warsaw having surrended, Bulharyn under General Rybiński retreated across into Prussia. Early in 1832 Bulharyn moved to Besançon in eastern France, and then in 1833 to Hungary.
In 1846 he became involved in the Krakow Uprising campaign and led a failed attack on the Sanok area, gains notoriety throughout Europe for this action. In the autumn 1848 he offered to create a Polish Legion for Hungarian leader Lajos Kossuth, in December Bulharyn was made Commander in Chief of the Polish troops, January 1849 made Colonel, then Brigadier, and Division Commander of the Upper Tisza Corps. Engages in battles against the Imperial Corps led by General Franz Schlik. In March he is directing Battalions in Debrecen, becomes Deputy Legion Commander under General Wysocki. July awarded the Military Medal 3rd class for his actions in the Battle of Tarcal, at the end of the war Lajos Kossuth promotes him to General and awards him a Military Medal 2nd class. At the end of the campaign he retreats to Vidin. And eventually seeks safety in Turkey.
Associations, Societies, and movements
Founder of the Carbonari society in Lviv, Ukraine. 1832 initiated into the masonic lodge “La Constante Amitié” at Besançon. 1832 joined the “Polish National Committee“, said to have known fellow member Joachim Lelewel. When travelling through Asia Bulharyn was granted entry to sacred temples by giving masonic signs (Masonic Mirror 1868). April 1832 at Besançon founded the “Fraternal Unity Society”. 1832 moved to Paris then Strasbourg before going to Galicia, in 1839 and 1841 there were extradition proceedings against him, but he remained there till 1848.
Family
Married 1832 at Prusy: Karolina Rogalska 1806-1889 sons: Jerzy Teodor Bulharyn 1844-1913, Adam Stefan Bulharyn 1846-1884, daughters: Jadwiga Kremer Bulharyn 1835-1897, Marja Bulharyn, Wanda Bulharyn, Sofja Ewa Bulharyn. None of the family appeared to be with Jerzy in Jersey, and he would not have been allowed to return to Poland safely.
Notes
(1) The regular English steamer left Constantinople on the 19th of June with 140 refugees on board 80 were Hungarian, and 30 were Polish, the following is a list of the “high chararcter” Poles on board: General George Bulharyn, Colonels Ladislas Tcharznicki, Thadee Idzikowski, Majors Adolph Grochawalski, Constan Matezynski, Sev. Blezynski and Severin Thorzelinski, Joseph Niewiadomski, a clergyman; Leonard Haszek, captain; eight lieutenants, four sergeants, and three ladies.
October 1855 French exile in London Félix Pyat published a letter questioning the relationship between Queen Victoria and Napoleon III, this letter was later published on the 10th of October in the newspaper “L’Homme” printed from the press of Zenon Świętosławski (who was in London at the time), the press known as “L’Imprimerie Universelle” was situated at 19 Dorset Street, St Helier where he lived, the letter caused great concern amongst some quarters, especially those that were not happy with the politically active exiles in Jersey, whose activities were continously scrutinised by Russian spies and undercover actions of the British, led by Police Detective John Sanders.
October the 13th a meeting was advertised to be held at the Queen’s Assembly rooms in Belmont Road, to discuss the publishing of the letter, the meeting was to be held in English so as all those attending could understand it. On the night the meeting was opened by Lieutenant Colonel Sullivan proposing that the constable of St Helier Nicholas Le Quesne chair it, Constable Le Quesne then went on to address a crammed room of some 1800-2,000 people criticising the actions of some of the exiles and the newspaper “L’Homme”. The first resolution was proposed by Mr W V Le Quesne in that this country should at all times offer asylum to political and religious exiles and they should submit to the laws, this was seconded by Mr J Q Rumbold who was not a resident of Jersey, and he called the letter a scandalous attack on the Queen by a newspaper published in this island. The second resolution was in regards to the actions of the newspaper with its suppresion of christianity, propagation of socialism, and the destruction of all thrones. Seconded by Captain W Childers many years in the 42nd Highlanders and he thought the meeting appeared to want to address the best way to suppress that scandalous publication “L’Homme”. Mr F Godfray suggested it was the letter itself and not the paper that should be judged, with the crowd calling out “All! All!” in response. Godfray stated it should have been a court decision not that of a meeting, there was some discussion as to whether it was the newspaper, the publisher, or the letter that needed to be taken up, the suppresion of the publication was passed by the majority of the meeting by a show of hands. Dr J Dickson with a third resolution that immediate measures be taken by the authorities to do everthing to suppress the newspaper, which he described as the most disgraceful outrage on moral laws. Seconded by Mr G Bisson. An amendment by Mr Godfray that the publisher be prosecuted by the Constable was deemed unneccessary. A deputation was then appointed to wait on the Lieutenant Governor and lay the proceedings before him, the deputation was to consist of the Constable, Colonel Hemery and Dr Joseph Dickson.
About an hour after the meeting a mob of some 100 people, some said to be plain clothed military in disguise, went to Dorset street with the intention of smashing the printing press, Colonel Teleki had heard of this and went to Victor Hugo’s house to warn him and the assistance of Centenier Philippe Asplet was called for. Within the building at Dorset street was several proscrits armed with iron bars protecting the press, these were Francois Tafery,Claude Victor Vincent,Louis Jego, Dr Louis Gornet, and Kosiell, and 3 policeman protecting the building which the mob was threatening to burn down, the mob attempted to enter the building stating they were representing the Queen, a police officer George Henley stood in their way stating that he was also representing the Queen, Captain Childers offered Henley a bribe if he would stand aside which he declined, and Childers then threatened to return with 3-400 men, and the mob started shouting “Down with the reds!” Then a heavy downpour seemed to disperse the crowd, and at 10pm Constable Le Quesne and Centenier Asplet arrived and assured the exiles that the press would be protected and they would be no future attack.
The following day a sunday the deputation from the meeting met with the Lieutenant Governor Sir James Love as a result he instructed the law officers to prosecute the journal “L’Homme” they replied that the author of the letter was a resident in London and not Jersey, so did not come within the law. The Governor then decided to expel the editor in chief Charles Ribeyrolles, the administrator Colonel Luigi Pianciani, and vendor Alexandre Thomas. Also a list of 29 other exiles to be expelled was handed over, the eventual number was greater and they were ordered to depart by November 2nd. Some questioned if the Governor had the authority to expel those named.
Prior to the riot Constable Le Quesne had managed to get the editor of the “Chronique” newspaper sacked. The paper had been supportive to the cause of the exiles. Another Jersey newspaper the “Impartial” had received French financial backing. With the “Jersey Independent” also anti the exiles, all the islands main media was against them.
Some weeks later Centenier Philippe Asplet was taken to court by Constable Le Quesne for assaulting the editor of the “Impartial” a Mr Le Moine, the case was disputed in court, with contradicting evidence from witnesses, and it was sent to the Royal Court which deals with the islands more serious cases, there Asplet’s lawyer argued that an honest man would not be able to contain himself after reading such foul and calumnious insults as had been published about him. The jury found that the “provocation extenuated considerably the assault”. They also found him “more innocent than guilty” of several other charges laid against him by M. Le Moine. Asplet was fined £5.
Thomas C Jones writes: “These were the only explicitly political deportations of foreign nationals from any portion of the British Isles between 1823, when government powers to expel aliens granted under a succession of Aliens Acts during the wars of 1793-1815 were used for the last time, and 1914, when “enemy aliens” were detained and repatriated during the First World War”
The Common tern is part of the Laridae family (Larus is Latin for seabird), commonly known as the “Sea Swallow”. Jersey being the main breeding site for the bird in the Channel Islands, with it breeding only in small numbers or occasionally on the other Channel Islands. Historical Jersey records are: 200 pairs in 1916, 85 pairs in 1969, and in 2000 numbers were in decline at 174 pairs, the Ecrehous being the main colony with small numbers on Jersey itself at Elizabeth Castle and Le Hocq, in recent years all these sites have faced problems of habitat lose, extreme weather, disturbance, predation and abandonment.
With the Ecrehous reef becoming an increasing popular place for visitors from Jersey and nearby France with several hundred visitors on a daily basis in the summer, this has added pressure and problems to birds trying to breed and raise their young at the reef, and in recent years the birds have had poor breeding seasons or abandoned the reef totally as in 2007 and 2008, this resulted in the Common tern becoming red listed in a report on the status of Jersey birds in 2011.
This year the birds arrived at Les Ecrehous in late April after wintering in west Africa a distance of 3,500 miles, and once here they were successful in breeding and nesting, with some 80 nests in total being counted, with 30 nests on Marmotier around the flagpole, and some areas were successful in raising a good number of chicks, but other areas suffered with only a few chicks surviving, due most likely to human disturbance, also some birds nested later than normal these birds were presumably engaging in a second attempt at nesting, this was probably due to the loss of their previous nests. Early in the season birds were coming back to sites with sand eels for their partners and then chicks, it was interesting to see that size of the sand eel had usually been selected to match the size of the chick, later in the season the diet consisted more of other species including small pollack, pipefish, sprats, and squid. Due to the number of birds and the small safe areas left for nesting there was some competition for space within the sites, and chicks wandering into other territories would be warned off by neighbouring adults. Raptors were seen passing on a couple of occasions and were mobbed and escorted away by the terns.
Roseate Tern August 2019
On June 13th a large number of Sandwich terns appeared at the Ecrehous, the species had formerly nested at the reef in small numbers, but the taking of eggs by a resident in the 80’s resulted in abandonment of the reef as a nesting site. It is unsure where this year’s birds had come from, but possibly up to 3 Roseate terns and a Little tern were observed amongst them, the Roseate being known as the last of the tern species to return from over wintering in West Africa, it is not sure if these birds stayed around but it is thought so as in August two Roseate terns were observed on Marmotier amongst the nesting Common terns, one bird being identified by having been ringed on each leg, both birds were active in trying to rob the Common adults and chicks of their food, a known practice of the species. Observers were often alerted to the bird due to its distinctive call which differs to that of the Common and Sandwich terns, and with it also being difficult to differentiate visually between a Common tern. The Roseate is Britain’s rarest breeding seabird, once found in every county, now there are only four core colonies left in Europe, these being in Ireland, UK and Brittany, so to observe the individuals here for such a period of time and in company of other breeding terns was a rare event, and certainly a first in modern times for Jersey, and it is hoped that they will return again in 2020 and perhaps even breed here, the birds conservation status is Internationally red listed, and there are a number of projects to improve and restore the Roseate sites in Southern Ireland, England, and Brittany the only place in France where the birds nest. These projects include the use of wardens and nesting boxes to offer the birds protection
Historically the tern species suffered when the birds feathers became popular for use in the hat trade, and the white tern feathers were highly sought after as was the ear feathers of theGreat crested grebe which was almost shot to extinction, and it was not until the start of the 20th century that protection for birds came into place and birds re-established themselves.
In the 1920’s it was the Lady of Rozel Manor Mrs Yvonne Robin 1892-1948 who did a great deal for bird protection at Les Ecrehous earning her the title “La Dame aux Oiseaux”
In modern times the Ecrehous has been designated a site of international importance becoming a Ramsar site in 2005, and more recently a National Park.
Common tern facts:
Eggs take 21 to 25 days to incubate, with both parents sitting on the eggs.
Chicks fledge at around 22-28 days old
Juveniles remain in West Africa for their first year, and become reproductively mature at 3 years
Average lifespan is 12 years the oldest British bird recorded is 25 years old.
“Niezabudki Jerseyskie” by Roch Rupniewski, a selection of poems on Polish exiles mostly resident in Jersey
As part of Polish Heritage Days this month I am publishing the list of Polish exiles and visitors who came to Jersey post the November Uprising (1830-31). This list has grown considerably over the last year and I am grateful to those people that have assisted us in this work, most notably Polish researcher Adam kwiecień. I have added hyperlinks to the surnames to those who have detailed pages on them, these will be in English or Polish. We would welcome assistance from anyone in England interested in researching Polish exiles there, with London being where several settled. Online there are some Polish printed works published by Zenon_Świętosławski from Dorset Street, St Helier, Jersey which are mostly in Polish and I would welcome anyone willing to translate some or all of these works. #PLHeritageDays #PolesinUK.
Konstantine Kumpikiewicz by John Ward Knowles 1838-1931
Konstantine Kumpikiewicz was born in Višteliškis, Lithunia. He went to school at Ukmerge and Vilnius. He fought in the November Uprising in Lithunia, and was a second Lieutenant. In 1833 all he owned was confiscated from him. In 1832 he was in France but I have no record of him there. In 1834 he was in London and was part of the group that formed the “Polish Democratic Society” PDS in England. He was involved in the Savoy expedition which was orchestrated by Giuseppe Mazzini, the Polish exiles being recruited by his follower Paul Haro Harring. Konstantine was to end up in prison in Geneva, some time after that he was expelled to England and then came to Jersey. He is recorded as an Alien arriving in Dover in May 1834. We have him marrying in St Helier, Jersey in 1837. It is thought that he was a paid spy for the Russians from 1836 to 38, reporting to the Consul Benckhausen, although he says he did this for only a few months and he was doing this to enable him to get permission to return to Poland. In 1838 he accused editor and publisher of “The Polish Exile” Piotr Falkenhagen Zaleski 1809 – 1883 of spying, but was cleared of it. He was revealed in 1838 by Adam Dydyński, either Konstantine or his fellow spy Theophil Pietraszewski were seen on the steps of the Russian embassy in London, Konstantine was interrogated by the Komitet Ogółu Emigracji Polskiej (General Assembly of Polish Immigration). Konstantine libelled Hipolit Pasierbski 1807-1895 accusing him of supplying Tsarist police with information on the PDS, and he failed to clear himself and was expelled from the PDS in April 1838. Due to these actions Kumpikiewicz and Pietraszewski were removed from the pension list, in 1841 they were both to bring a petition to Parliament complaining about certain names being removed from the pension list, it would appear this failed as there were numerous mentions in the newspapers up till 1845 of Pietraszewski and his wife asking for charity and claiming to be in a state of poverty.
On the 2nd November, 1837 in St Helier, Jersey, Kumpikiewicz married Sarah Prudence Arrowsmith 1809 – ? who herself had been married earlier in the year on the 29th of March to Samuel Playsted Jeston 1802 – 1856 who was later convicted of bigamy and transported to Australia for 7 years., this was reported in the papers as the “Rochdale Giovanni” case. On the 10th November only a week after marrying Kumpikiewicz arrives in Southampton from Jersey as recorded in the Aliens arrivals.
The following are accounts of Kumpikiewicz in the newspapers: “Western Times” 19th December 1848 reported a court case where he was charged with vagrancy and sending begging letters in the Torquay area, he pretended to be deaf during the hearing, but it appears that they saw through this, the magistrates had contacted the Polish relief committee to ascertain his character, they responded that Kumpikiewicz had been struck of the pension list as they believed him to be a spy, of general bad character, a drunkard and gambler, since being struck off he had gained a living by imposition. He responded by saying that it was struck off from the list for displeasing his countrymen for appealing for amnesty to Emperor Nicholas I so as he could return to his homeland, the magistrates did not accept his version and sentenced him to prison for a month.
On the 1851 census we find him living in Taunton, unmarried as a Lithographer and Journeyman.
14th September 1860 the “Western Morning News” featured a letter from someone who had fallen for the hard luck story of Kumpikiewicz who had been living in Plymouth two years previously, and had sent the person a letter in French explaining his hard times and confiscation of his property by the Russians, and requesting funds to help him return to London, which he was given only to reportedly go as far as Torquay and heading back and onwards to Cornwall. It gives a brief description of him: marked with smallpox, of middle height, speaks French and English fluently, but prefers not to speak English, he is deaf when it is convenient for him, although he could hear perfectly well. The account states that he was well known for this scam, and had even duped a well known Polish gentleman residing in Devonport.
1861 census he is at a boarding house in Salisbury, as a licensed hawker, and married.
12th January 1866 the “Exeter and Plymouth Gazette” states that Kumpikiewicz was charged with sending a begging letter to Mrs Arden, she had asked him to return to house and when he did the following day he was arrested by the Police, and stated that he been making a living off charity gained from these begging letters for the past three years, he was sentenced to 6 weeks hard labour.
We next find Kumpikiewicz on the 1881 census in York, living in a room adjoining St Wilfred’s Church where he was the sacristan (Church officer), stating he was a nobleman, and deaf from wounds. It must have been in York that the picture of him above was painted by John Ward Knowles of York, a stained glass manufacturer. Kumpikiewicz died on the 24th of April 1883 and is buried in York Cemetery, the cross was made by local sculptor George Walker Milburn 1844 – 1941
Born in 1920 to Jean Louis Jouault 1883-1956 and Marguerite Marie Le Dain 1878-1949, Richard went to Victoria College where he became Deputy House Captain for Braithwaite, and was goalkeeper in the Hockey XI that I previously wrote about. He took a short service commission in the RAF in 1938, and I presume the following picture was from that time:
Richard & “Bing” who looks like David Hocquard Crill in the Hockey XI
Richard was the first Jersey man to be mentioned in dispatches and to be awarded the DFC on June 1, 1940 with two others from 22o Squadron: Ronald Nicholas Selley and Hilton Aubrey Haarhoff, Jouault was promoted to flying officer in September, 1940. he was captain of one of a flight of three aircraft protecting shipping engaged on the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkerque. On encountering a force of some 40 Junkers 87s, the flight immediately launched an attack. Jouault handling his aircraft with the utmost skill and determination shot down two of the enemy with his front gun.
On the 15th of March 1942 Richard was killed with three others in a training accident at RAF Spitalgate (Grantham) when the Oxford AP645 Richard was in with his pupil a Dutchman WB Straver collided on takeoff with an Oxford AB641 Pilot Derek Oliver age 30 and pupil an American DL Wyatt age 27. They are buried in Grantham Cemetery. Thanks to the local RAF association for getting in touch with me and supplying more information including a cutting of a memorial service 2002 making the 60th year since the accident which includes a picture of the Dutch pupil Straver:
It took over two more years for Richard’s parents in Jersey to get official notification of his death through information passed on by the Red Cross and the Bailiff’s Enquiry and News Service dated 24th April 1944:
A blog on trying harder to buy local, eat seasonal and cook real food. Could Guernsey do more of this and become more self-sufficient and self-reliant?
Nicolas Jouault 
