Description:By the demise of Mr Henry Price, the venerable parish clerk and rates collector, Handsworth has lost one of its most familiar figures. Mr Price had reached the almost patriarchal age of 72 years when he gathered to his fathers on Wednesday the 19th ult. He had been in failing health for some time but was only confined to his bed a few weeks. The funeral took place on Saturday, April 22nd at Handsworth Parish Church amid many manifestations of public sympathy and the following were among the many public bodies represented:- Handsworth School Board, Rev. T S Cave (chairman of the Board); Handsworth District Council, Councillors Arthur Price, Fred Lempriere, H Loveridge. Eli Cockin, J Edwards; Perry Barr Urban District Council, Councillors J Boothby and W Johnson; West Bromwich Board of Guardians, Messrs J Drew, E F Griffin, Oliver Floyd. Other officials present were Dr James Richmond (medical officer of health for Handsworth and Perry Bar) Mr Ernest Ward (deputy clerk), Mr G J Ketteringham (assistant surveyor), Mr A Hodges (sanitary inspector) Mr J W Roberts (librarian), Mr W H Boraston (overseers), Captain Perry (Handsworth Fire Brigade).
Is there a dweller in Handsworth who was not familiar with the late high-esteemed and widely respected Mr Henry Price? A native of the place, he has lived here all his life; has filled many offices, discharged many duties and in every one he has given the fullest satisfaction to all with whom he has been brought in contact. Familiar with every change which has marked the rapid growth and development of his native place, he was long an abstract and brief chronicler of the events of a village converted into one of the finest of our suburban districts. The record of his experiences would furnish an interesting and instructive history of the enlargement, improvement and general growth and development of the new Handsworth, as well as curious reminiscences of the old.
Mr Price was born on November 20th, 1826, and is the son of Mr William Price who was the first schoolmaster of the St Mary's National Schools, opened by him in 1812. His father was also his predecessor in the office of parish clerk, which he held for upwards of forty years. The son succeeded to his father's post of schoolmaster when the latter retired on a well-merited pension granted by the School Committee.
On June 26th, 1858, he was sworn in as parish clerk and sexton to the Parish Church. Forty years have passed since this appointment was registered and Mr Price during that long period discharged the various duties of the two offices to the entire satisfaction of all concerned. His previous services had been fully recognised, for when he married in 1855 he was presented by the Rector and parishioners with a pianoforte. The subscribers included the best known residents in the parish, as will be seen by their names:- Thomas Aston, William Bagnell, Joseph Barrows, Edwin Bullock, James T. Chance, Edward Chance, Edward Cox, Henry Elwell, Rev. C.P. Good, Gilbert Hamilton, Richard Hasluck, Miss Haughton, Isaac Lea, Edward Lewis, Charles T. Lutwyche, John Murdock, Rev. C.F.C. Piggot, John Rawlins, Samuel Smith, William Sharp, John Stubbs, George Unett, Miss Villers, John Williams, Henry Williams, William Williams, Mrs Rhodes, George W. Murray, Rector. A list of which any recipient might well be proud. It is, however, a melancholy fact that only two of those who contributed to this present are now living - the Rev. C.P. Good and J. T Chance, Esq.
Mr Price has always been a lover of music and on June 26th, 1867, he obtained his certificate of proficiency in the theory of music, from the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce. On the retirement of Mr G. W Elliott as organist, the post was offered to and accepted by Mr Price, who thus became at once village schoolmaster, parish clerk and organist, a combination rarely met with. He held the office of organist until March, 1866. Although he resigned his office of organist, Mr Price continued in the choir; and he was also in the band of the First Staffordshire Volunteers.
About 1861, Mr Price succeeded Dr Downes as Registrar of Births and Deaths and on the creation of the Local Board he was appointed collector of rates. He was also chosen to collect the poor rates of the parish and to act in the capacity of assistant overseer; As a collector of rates Mr Price has had an experience which is probably known to a very few men now living. When only eighteen years old he collected the church rate for the Churchwardens, John Rawlins and W. Wilkinson.
Our portrait is an excellent likeness of Mr Price and the following pen and ink sketch written some years before his decease by a loving hand will be a welcome supplement. He is, says the writer, an Englishman of the old school. This much will be gathered from the portrait. The side-whiskers stamp him as essentially English at once. But one must converse with him, must know him to appreciate his many good qualities. He is of a genial temperament, slightly impulsive, generous; good nature is stamped on his countenance and five minutes conversation with him will convince even the casual observer that in his face are reflected some of his characteristics. His faculties are quick and vigilant and his geniality does not mask his general shrewdness. He is in his sixties now, but his years sit lightly upon him. He is vigorous both in mind and body. The fact that he was an organist indicates that he has a love of music. One can image that he would take up the study of music in his early days, not as a temporary hobby, but to make it a lasting pleasure. He is one of those men who make it a practice to do all things as thoroughly as is humanly possible. Work to him is work and pleasure is pleasure, in their truest sense. In Handsworth Mr Price is universally esteemed; He still interests himself largely in local public life and is actively identified with various parochial movements.