Mayor – 1862 – 1863.
Second term of office 1863 – 1864.
Member of the Conservative Party.
A member of the established church – Church of England.
George entered the Council in 1861 as one of the representatives of the Westgate Ward.
Born: 1813, St. Mary-le-Tower, Ipswich.
Siblings:
Elizabeth Margaret Bacon, born 2nd January 1808, Ipswich, baptised 10th February 1808, at St. Matthew’s Church, Ipswich. On the 23rd May 1838, at St. Mary at the Tower Church, Ipswich, by the Reverend William Nassau Leger, Elizabeth married Captain Henry Harkness, born 1788, late of the Honourable East India Company’s Madras Army, from 1826 – 1834. In 1834 he became the Secretary of the College of Fort St. George, before moving back to England where Captain Henry was appointed Secretary to the Royal Asiatic Society. Henry was the author of five books. Captain Henry Harkness died 17th August 1838, at Lympstone, Devon. Laid to rest 24th August 1838, at Lympstone. After the death of her husband Henry, Elizabeth Harkness went to reside with her parents at the Bacon family home – 13, Tavern Street, Ipswich. On the 31st January 1856, at St. Margaret’s Church, Ipswich, by the Reverend T. Davidson, assisted by the Incumbent, and by Elizabeth’s brother, the Reverend Robert Bacon, Rector of Ewhurst, East Sussex, Elizabeth married Edward Beck, Esq., M.D., of Ipswich, born 1795, Needham Market, Suffolk. Edward was a Medical Doctor and Physician – Jesus College, Cambridge. Edward’s first wife, Sarah Elizabeth Beck (nee Welton), died from illness 16th May 1854, at her residence Fonnereau Street, Ipswich, aged 53. In 1834, Edward published a ‘Practical Treatise of Leprosy.’ Edward Beck died 10th October 1862, at his residence Northgate Street, Ipswich. Laid to rest at St. Mary le Tower Churchyard, Ipswich. After the death of her husband Edward, Elizabeth Beck went to reside with her brother at the Bacon family home – 13, Tavern Street, Ipswich. In September 1863, the entire excellent household furniture, orchard house, etc., of Edward and Elizabeth Beck’s residence at Northgate Street, Ipswich was sold at an auction, by Garrod and Turner, Ipswich. Elizabeth Beck died 5th November 1865, at her brother, George’s residence at 13, Tavern Street, Ipswich. Laid to rest at St, Mary le Tower Churchyard, Ipswich.
Robert William Bacon, born 1810, Ipswich
Charles Round Bacon, born 1812, Ipswich. Charles was commissioned a Cornet of the Honourable British East India Company’s First Regiment of Bombay Light Cavalry. Charles Bacon died 21st March 1830, at Solapur, East Indies. At their own expense, his brother officers erected a tomb to his memory over his grave.
CENSUS
1841 13, Tavern Street, St. Mary at the Tower, Ipswich.
George was 25 years old, a Solicitor. He was living with his parents and widowed sister.
Edward Bacon, 65, a Banker.
Elizabeth, 50.
Elizabeth Harkness (nee Bacon), 30.
1851 13, Tavern Street, Ipswich.
George was 37 years old, a Solicitor. He was living with his parents and widowed sister.
Edward, 78, a Banker – private firm.
Elizabeth, 63.
Elizabeth Harkness, 43, an Annuitant and Fundholder.
1 footman.
1 cook.
1 housemaid.
1861 13, Tavern Street, Ipswich.
George was 47 years old, a Banker. He was living with his widowed mother and was head of the household.
Elizabeth, 73, Proprietor of Houses.
1 male house servant and 2 female house servants.
1871 13, Tavern Street, Ipswich.
George was 57 years old, a Magistrate, Alderman and Banker. He was married and head of the household.
Harriet, 41.
1 housemaid.
1 kitchenmaid.
1 butler.
1 footman.
GRAND BANQUET BY THE MAYOR OF IPSWICH, ON THE QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY
Ipswich Journal – Saturday, 13th June 1863 – On Saturday, 6th June 1863, the day appointed for the celebration of the anniversary of the birth of Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, Mr. Henry Tunmer was a guest of the Mayor of Ipswich, George Constantine Edward Bacon, Esq., who gave a Grand Banquet in honour of the day, at the New Assembly Room, Northgate Street, to about a hundred gentlemen, consisting of the Borough Members, the High Steward, the Borough Magistrates, the Aldermen and Councillors of the Ipswich Corporation, and other gentlemen connected with the town and friends of the Mayor of Ipswich.
The banquet, which was of an unusually grand and costly description, was purveyed by Mr. Henry Guiver, of the Great White Horse, the premises of the Hotel having a direct communication with the Assembly Rooms. The following was the carte: –
FIRST COURSE
Soups – Mulligatawny, Mock Turtle, Asparagus, Julienne.
Fish – Turbot, Salmon, Filleted Soles.
SECOND COURSE
Haunches of venison, Pigeon Pies, Giblet Pies, Roast Chickens, Boiled Chickens, Hams, Tongues, Roularde de Veau à la Bèchamelle. Roast Beef, Boiled Legs of Lamb, Spinach, Saddles of Mutton, Fore Quarters of Lamb.
ENTREES
Lamb Cutlets, Cucumber Sauce, Lobster Patties, Sweetbreads, Spinach, Compote Pigeons.
THIRD COURSE
Goslings, Ducklings, Puddings, Pastry, Jellies, Blancmange, Creams, Ices.
WINE LIST
Pale Sherry, Bucellas, Chablis, Still Hock, Still Moselle, Sparkling Champagne, Sparkling Moselle, Port, and Claret.
Immediately after Grace, the Mayor rose and said: Gentlemen, while the tables are being cleared, we will pass round the Loving Cup, according to the ancient custom. The large ancient cup of the Corporation, designated “The Loving Cup,” was then handed round the room, every gentleman drinking from it and bowing in token of goodwill as he handed it to his neighbour. The toasts of the evening then commenced. The Mayor of Ipswich, George Bacon, rose to ask the gentlemen to rise and drink “The health of Her Most Gracious Majesty Queen Victoria.” The toast was drunk with much enthusiasm, and the National Anthem was sung.
After several more toasts, the company retired to the reception room and partook of tea and coffee and separated a few minutes before midnight.
SOURCES:
Image courtesy of Mr. A. Gilbert – Ipswich Borough Council.
www.ancestry.co.uk for census returns, births, marriages, deaths, probates, military records and other historical online records.
Members of the Council – in and since 1835 – Mr. B.P. Grimsey – July 1892.