Close Family Tree

Living with parents and family at Kirkby Stephen, Westmorland

He had a hand in The Book of the Chronicles : or, Winter Evening Tales of Westmorland.

Established himself as a printer and called himself "Poet Close".

Living with parents and family at Kirkby Stephen, Westmorland.

Poet Close at the lakes composing his Grand War Poem. Image taken from one of his books.

Probably around 1855, assuming the war in question is the Crimean.

Many thanks to Stephen Nelson for the scan.

Taken to court at Liverpool for libel about a young lady of Kirkby Stephen district and fined ú300 which caused him to be impoverished.

Through the influence of Lord Lonsdale he was granted a Civil List Pension by Lord Palmerston, the Prime Minister, but this was revoked and he was given ú100 from the Royal Bounty in compensation.

He wrote of this ôinjusticeö for the remainder of his life.

John Close shows how he is under attack.

Thanks to Sue Premru for the picture.

Living with wife Eliza and family at Kirkby Stephen, Westmorland. Printer and dealer in fancy wares.

Eliza's two children, John and Ann, from her previous marriage to Thomas Lowdon are present.

Article on JPC and his pension woes, published by The Caledonian on 9 May 1861.

Many thanks to Sue Premru for the copy.

On 23rd July 1861 the question of John's pension was raised in the House of Commons. Sharon Close has sent a copy of the Hansard transcript which is available in John's Hall of Fame entry on the main Close Ancestry site.

He's still at it with the Once a Year correspondence.

Poet Close at home. Image taken from one of his books.

Probably around 1863.

Many thanks to Stephen Nelson for the scan.

Publication of Poet Close's Grand Lake Book of 1869.

Photograph of The Waddle Family by John Poet Close.

Not sure when it was produced 1870 is a guess.

Many thanks to Stephen Nelson for the photograph.

Living with wife Eliza and family at Kirkby Stephen, Westmorland. Printer and news agent.

Eliza's two children, Mary and John, from her previous marriage to Thomas Lowdon are present.

Photograph of the children of John "Poet" Close.

Taken around 1871.

Photograph of John "Poet" Close.

Probably taken around 1873.

John "Poet" Close Autograph Card.

Produced around 1873.

He sold autographed copies of these for 1 shilling each.

Penrith Herald Jan 3 1874 Letters to the Editor

LORD LONSDALE'S KINDNESS TO POET CLOSE.

In the preface to Mr. CLOSE's Christmas Book, which he has just sent us, we find a sketch of the LOWTHER Family, and how kind his Lordship and his son were to the Poet when last at Kirkby Stephen. On their return to Lowther Castle, VISCOUNT LOWTHER sent Mr. CLOSE a box of game, containing 2 large hares and 2 fine pheasants. On Tuesday, Dec. 16th, a hamper came by rail, with a large Stilton cheese inside, with a paper upon it, with these words, "From the Hon. Hugh LOWTHER;" which kind present no little astonished and pleased Mr. and Mrs. CLOSE.

A READER OF THE HERALD.

====================

Given the number of CAPITAL letters there are in this, one has to assume that the anonymous reader was JPC himself.

Photograph of John Close at Bowness in about 1875.

Poem written by JPC, and published in the Ambleside Herald on 22 May 1880.

Many thanks to Sue Premru for the copy.

Living with wife Eliza and family at Kirkby Stephen, Westmorland. Bookseller and stationer.

Seems to be a granddaughter, Kate E Stonehouse present who is probably the daughter of either Mary or Ann Lowdon from Eliza's first marriage, since Elizabeth Close is unmarried at this time.

Later living at ôPoetÆs Hallö, New Terrace, Kirkby Stephen, Westmorland.

Publication of The Satirist or Every Man in his Humour.

Publication of Poet Close's Christmas Book of 1885.

As a young man John helped his father Jarvis with his butchers business but he mistakenly thought he had a talent to be a poet. At the age of 16 he started printing fly-sheets of his verses to sell at the markets and later progressed to writing books.

In 1846 he established himself as a printer in Kirkby Stephen and called himself "Poet" Close and his house "Poet's Hall".

His prolific publications included his annual "Christmas Book". In addition to his verses and stories these gave a revue of the year's events in the district and therefore contain much biographical information on the inhabitants of the district as well as on his family and relations.

In 1858 he married Eliza Early, a young widow who had three children and together they had five of their own. During the summer months John lived at Bowness where he had a bookstall at the boat-landing stage on Lake Windermere.

The Closes and the Barkers were ardent Methodists, several of them being local preachers for many years, However John was always making disparaging remarks about Methodists while at the same time writing about "good old John Barker". At one time his sister Ann, who was married to a local preacher, George Yare, wrote to him on behalf of their mother, asking him not to be so harsh on the Methodists.

He was in the habit of letting his pen run away with his discretion and so in 1859 was taken to court in Liverpool for libel for remarks he had made about a young lady of the Kirkby Stephen district. This resulted in ú300 damages against him. He also had great difficulty making a living, however, he was in the habit of saying flattering things of those in authority and in high places.

In 1860, through the influence of Lord Lonsdale, Lord Carlisle and other gentlemen, he was granted a Civil List Pension by the Prime Minister Lord Palmerston. When it was discovered by Parliament that his writing had no merit the pension was stopped and he was given ú100 from the Royal Bounty by Lord Palmerston in compensation. He continued to write of this "injustice" for the remainder of his life.

Here's a little sample of his doggerel:

Around the gods, each seated on a throne,

The poets, crowned like royal kings they sat.

Around their heads a dazzling halo shone,

No needs of mortal robes, or any hat.

("Haloes, Not Hats")

... which has apparently appeared in an anthology of the best bad poetry out there...

Summary of the Will of John Close of Town Head, Kirkby Stephen, Bookseller & Stationer. Drawn 6 May 1890. Proved 24 Mar 1891. Effects & Value of Estate = ú41.18.1d. Executor: Son Henry Cecil Close of Preston, Lancs. Postal Clerk.

To youngest son Henry Cecil Close whole of Property including 4 houses on Townhead all customary Hold under Lord Hothfield of Appleby Castle.

Remainder of Personal Property to Henry Cecil if still alive otherwise to wife Eliza Close

Postcard of John Close selling his books at Windermere.

Appears to be one of a series. This one is postmarked 1915, which is 24 years after his death.