Accomplished South Down architect William Watson and a fit of temporary insanity

By John McCabe

William Watson if you are not into historical architecture is a name not familiar to many us and yet throughout our District it would be difficult not to view one of his works which he designed.

His story of achievement is perhaps not celebrated enough the same with Newry's Thomas Duff and William Barre the latter two dying of natural causes but tragically William Watson was to take his own life which makes you wonder what more creative works were left in his talented mind.

In the Directory of Irish Architects we learn not only about William Watson's listing of recorded works which total 58 but also some more personal details which are attached.

DIRECTORY OF IRISH ARCHITECTS - WILLIAM JAMES WATSON

Architect and land agent, of Newry, Warrenpoint and Rostrevor, Co. Down. According to his 1901 census return, William James Watson was born in England in about 1845.

His early training is not recorded. He had opened his own office in Newry by the beginning of 1872 and developed what appears to have been a thriving and varied practice, working almost exclusively in South Down.

He is described as a land agent in the Post Office Directory for 1881. The Irish Builder gives his address as Newry until 1886, as Warrenpoint from 1888 and as Rostrevor from 1898.

It reports no works by him after 1902, apart from a shelter in the park at Warrenpoint which was to be built to designs by 'Mr Watson' in January 1909. He was a JP for Co. Down from 1890 or earlier until at least 1907.

In about 1910 Watson acquired a residence in London, though he still retained his house in Rostrevor. He died suddenly at home in Rostrevor on 18 August 1911, leaving an estate of £4527. By his wife, Elizabeth (née Todd), he had a son, Rowland David Todd Watson, and a daughter, Janet. His wife and daughter were living in London at the time of his death.

The Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland, we learn that William was elected an associate member on 25 Febrary 1875 and then elected a member, 28 November 1878, having been proposed by George Carlisle Henderson, seconded by Albert Edward Murray and James Higgins Owen.

His former addresses being: Needham Place, Newry, 1872; 13 Sugar Island, Newry, 1881; Aughavilla Lodge or House, Warrenpoint, 1875-1897; Benvenue, Rostrevor, 1898-1911; 38 & 39 Piccadilly, London, 1910-1911.

WILLIAM TAKES HIS LIFE AT ROSTREVOR

In the Directory of Irish Architects it states that William died suddenly at home in Rostrevor and looking at newspaper reports from the time we learn that he was suffering from throat cancer which lead to suicide as reads.

'On Saturday afternoon 19th August 1911, Mr. B. S. Heron, Deputy Coroner for South Down, held an inquest relative to the death of Mr. William James Watson, M.R.I.A.I., F.S.I., J.P., aged 66 years, a well known architect, surveyor, and land agent, who was found dead at his residence, 'Benvenue,' Rostrevor the previous morning.

Hugh McAllister, who took charge of 'Benvenue' Rostrevor, in the absence of the deceased at his London residence, deposed that the deceased returned on Monday week last, the other members the family remaining in London.

From August 7th the deceased went about as usual, except that he was complaining about his throat, which had been troubling him for some months past.

On Thursday last, about 10am he left for Newry, and returned home about 3pm.

Deceased partook of some tea, and again complained of his throat, stating that doctor in London had told him that cancer was creeping on him. During the night witness heard him walking about the house.

Some time after 1am deceased called him down to the breakfast room, and said that he was bad, again referring to his throat. In the morning witness’s wife awoke him, and told him that the deceased was bad in the breakfast room.

She had been up earlier, and was preparing the deceased’s breakfast. When witness went to the breakfast room he found the deceased lying on the floor, and he immediately went for a doctor, he thought the deceased was in a fit. On his way down the avenue a boy named Peter Doran came after him, and told him that the deceased was dead.

Mrs. Bridget McAllister, wife of the last witness, said that shortly after 7am Friday morning she saw the deceased coming out of his dressing room, and going into the breakfast room.

When she subsequently entered the breakfast room she saw him sitting in the armchair. She asked him would she bring him in his breakfast, and he said it was "time enough.”

Deceased then appeared his usual health. She got the breakfast ready, and when she came back to the breakfast room, in about quarter of an hour, she saw the deceased in the act of falling off the chair. She called her husband. They put pillows under his head, and her husband then went for the doctor.

Dr. MacCartan, J.P., deposed that he received the message about 9.05am on Friday morning. Upon arriving at the place he found the deceased lying in the corner od the breakfast room. Deceased was then dead, but the body was still warm.

There were no external evidences to account for death. On the sideboard he found a medicine glass, tumbler, and carafe of water, and on the mantelpiece he discovered an empty once bottle labelled "Poison - Prussic Acid."

He detected a smell of prussic acid in the tumblers, and also coming from the cavity of deceased’s mouth. Death would be practically instantaneous.

Mr. J. Edgar Connor, J.P. (of the firm of Messrs. S. Connor and Sons, chemists, Newry), deposed that deceased purchased an ounce of prussic acid, on the August 12th. The bottle produced was the one sold to the deceased.

Deceased said he wanted acid to kill two dogs that had got very bad eczema. He told witness that he wanted something that would kill quickly, and asked about strychnine, stating that he would not like to see the poor brutes suffering.

Witness told him that prussic acid would be quicker, and said that, of course, he would have to be very careful with it.

Deceased replied that he understood that, as had used it on former occasions. On referring to his books, witness found that on the of May, 1910, deceased got a half ounce of prussic acid, and the 24th March, 1911, ounce of strychnine.

In connection with the bottle that the deceased got on the August 12th, he found that the deceased signed for it in the usual manner, and that the purpose for which the poison was obtained was returned as “For dogs.”

Sergeant McGovern, Rostrevor, deposed that on his arrival at the house he got possession of a letter addressed to "Mrs. Watson — to be delivered on arrival,” and three other documents.

Amongst the documents there was a telegram in deceased’s handwriting. It was signed in the name Hugh McAllister, Benvenue, and was directed to William Johnson, solicitor, Warrenpoint.

The telegram was follows: “Come here immediately; Mr. Watson dead.” There was also a long statement, in deceased’s handwriting, for Mr. William Johnson, solicitor, Warrenpoint. The statement dealt with financial matters.

The Coroner — "From the tone of that statement, would you say that the deceased had written it when an excited state?"

Sergeant McGovern — "Most certainly, sir."

The Coroner — "lt is a long statement, and I need not go into it, as it would occupy a lot of time, and would throw no particular light on this inquiry. I have looked through it, and it practically with financial matters. It is written in strong terms, showing that the man was labouring under excitement at the time he wrote it."

Sergeant McGovern - "lt appears to have been written on two different dates - one part on August 17th and the other on August 18th, and it ends, "Farewell to all.— W. J. Watson.”

The Coroner - "Read the last paragraph."

Sergeant McGovern (reading) — "I can leave only my love to my wife and children; also ask their forgiveness for my actual madness.”

The Coroner - "You knew him well?

Sergeant McGovern - "Yes."

The Coroner - "Did you know he was in bad health?"

Sergeant McGovern - "He told me on Wednesday last he was uneasy in his mind. He was magistrate, and I had trouble with him pretty often, and was a good one, too."

The Coroner - "Did he make any complaint about his bodily health?"

Sergeant McGovern - "He did not."

Tho Coroner said the letter addressed to Mrs. Watson was a private nature, and had suggested to her it it would throw any light on the matter it would judicious to let it be read.

Mrs. Watson had agreed to allow the contents of the letter to be made known. The letter would give the jury an idea of the mental strain the deceased was suffering from the time he committed the act.

It was as follows - "Benvenue, 18th August, 1911. — My darling wife and daughter - I can’t dare to see. I am mad - must have been so for many months past. May God have mercy on all of us, especially you and Janet.”

He then makes reference to a small business affair.

Mr. W. Johnson, solicitor - "The purport of the statement addressed to me is giving instructions with regard to the winding-up of his estate?"

Sergeant M‘Govern — "Yes, generally speaking; but there are strong remarks regarding paiticular individuals which might develop into a criminal charge."

The jury found that the deceased died from prussic acid poisoning, self-administered, while suffering from a fit of temporary insanity, and they tendered their sympathy to widow and family and other relatives in their bereavement.'

FUNERAL OF THE LATE MR. W. J. WATSON, J.P., ROSTREVOR.

Another newspaper report on Mr Watson's funeral reads 'On Tuesday 22nd August 1911 the remains of the late Mr. William James Watson, J.P., whose death took place under the sad circumstances, were removed from his late residence, Benvenue, Rostrevor, for interment in the burying-ground in connection with the Clonallon Parish Church, near Warrenpoint.

The remains were enclosed in a heavy oak mounted coffin with solid brass mountings, and the breastplate bore the following inscription

'WILLIAM JAMES WATSON, Aged 66 years, Died 18th of August, 1911.'

The funeral cortege was of a large and representative character, including not only all sections of the people of Rostrevor and district, but large contingents from Warrenpoint and Newry.

Before the mournful procession came down through the village the blinds were drawn in all the houses as a tribute of respect to the memory of the deceased gentleman.

The chief mourners were: Mr. Roland Watson,son; Rev. Dr. Glenny, Clonallon, brother-in-law; Dr. Watson Glenny, nephew; Mr. S. F. Glenny, solicitor, nephew; Mr. Tiff, London, cousin; Mr. Herbert Glenny,nephew; Mr. R. S. Redmond, Newry, and Rev. R. Benson, Armagh, relatives. The officiating clergymen at the graveside were the Rev. Dr. Glenny and the Rev. Dr. Walker.'

HIS LEGACY OF WORKS

Despite his sad ending William Watson has left a legacy of some fine buildings throughout mostly South Down which many of us today know well yet knew little about the man who designed them. To conclude I have attached some of his works.

WATSON WORKS

Building: CO. DOWN, ROSTREVOR, HOUSE

Date: 1872

Nature: Alts., for Edward Greer. Tender of Wheelan (£234) accepted.

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, NEWRY GAS CONSUMERS' CO.

Date: 1872

Nature: New offices. Tender of McShane & Lavery (£349) accepted.

Building: CO. DOWN, ROSTREVOR, HOUSES (004)

Date: 1872

Nature: 4 new houses 'which are to form the first portion of a terrace', for Edward Greer. Tender of Wheelan for £1550 accepted.

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, NEWRY SALT WORKS

Date: 1872

Nature: Alts. and new offices, for Charles Lamprey , Esq. Tender of Wheelan (£730) accepted.

Building: CO. DOWN, DRUMINDONEY, HOUSE

Date: 1872

Nature: New house and out-offices to be erected for R.W. von Stieglitz. Tender of Collen Bros. (£2200) accepted.

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, UNION WORKHOUSE

Date: 1872

Nature: Drainage and other works. Tender of Wheelan & Rantin (£1080) accepted.

Building: CO. DOWN, ROSTREVOR, QUEEN'S ARMS HOTEL

Date: 1872

Nature: Enlargement, for Mr Sanxter (sic). Tender of Wheelan (£454) accepted..

Building: CO. DOWN, ROSTREVOR, HOUSE

Date: 1872

Nature: Single-storey cottage for Edward Greer. Tender of Rantin (sic) for £306 accepted.

Building: CO. ARMAGH, PORTADOWN, HOUSE

Date: 1872

Nature: Alts., for Richmond Pepper, Esq. Tender of Collen Bros. for £161 accepted.

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, MANSE (METHODIST)

Date: 1872

Nature: New. Tender of of Rantin (sic) for £539 accepted.

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, CORN STORE (WALKER)

Date: 1872

Nature: To be enlarged, for A.R. Walker, Esq. Tender of O'Hare (£475) accepted?

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, SPINNING MILLS (WILSON'S)

Date: 1873

Nature: Tenders received for extensions and improvements, for Mr A. Wilson. Lowest tender (£2800) from Collen Bros.

Building: CO. DOWN, WARRENPOINT, HOUSES (003)

Date: 1873

Nature: Tenders received for erecting 3 cottages for Mr Crossen. Lowest (£303) from McShane & Lavery.

Building: CO. DOWN, BALLYLESSON, CHURCH OF THE HOLY TRINITY (CI, DRUMBO PARISH)

Date: 1873-74

Nature: Alts., including new roof, enlarged nave windows and new pews. Tenders invited Sep 1873. Contractor: Thomas McKeown,. cost: £1000. Church reopened 10 Jul 1874.

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, CANAL QUAY (& NEW STREET), FLOUR MILLS (SINCLAIR & SON) & GRAIN STORE

Date: 1873;1879

Nature: New flour mills on site of old mill destroyed by fire Dec 1872. Venetian with E. English details. Begun Jan 1873. Contractor: John O'Hare, Mary St. Clerk of Works: W. Lyons. Machinery by Newry Foundry Co. Total cost: £10,000. Also grain store at Canal Quay, 1879. Contractor: Whelan & Watson.

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, ARTHUR STREET, HOUSES

Date: 1874

Nature: Tender of Mahood of £1250 for erecting same for Marquess of Downshire accepted.

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, BARRACK STREET, HOUSES

Date: 1874

Nature: Tender of Wheelan of £1098 for erecting houses for Viscount Newry accepted.

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, BRIDGE STREET, HOUSES (002)

Date: 1874

Nature: Tender of Wheelan of £260 for erecting 2 cottages for James Fennell, Esq., accepted.

Building: CO. DOWN, WARRENPOINT, PARSONAGE

Date: 1874

Nature: New, 2-storey parsonage. Castle Espie brick with moulded string courses of Dungannon stone . FS laid 14 Sep 1874 by Master Robert Hall, son of Major Hall, Narrow Water Castle. Contractor: Alex. Whelan, Newry. will cost about £1,100.

Building: CO. DOWN, ROSTREVOR, HOUSES (004)

Date: 1874?

Nature: Terrace of 4 houses illus. in IB.

Building: CO. DOWN, ROSTREVOR, MOURNE HOTEL (GREAT NORTHERN)

Date: 1875-76

Nature: New hotel on site formerly occupied by Old Quay Hotel Domestic Gothic. 150 frontage to Carlingford Lough. Centre one storey higher than wings. Centre roof 'towers up in a most pleasing manner' and will comprise 'a kind of promenade'. FS laid 3 Apr 1875. Approaching completion, Apr 1876. Contractor: Alexander Wheelan, Newry. Proprietors Mssrs. Norton and Shaw.(mr Shaw has purchased Oakwood House and intends erecting gasworks and Turkish bath in connection with hotel.)

Building: CO. DOWN, LOUGHBRICKLAND, CHURCH OF ST MELLAN (CI, AGHADERG PARISH)

Date: 1876-78

Nature: Church reopened, 1 Jan 1878, after extensive improvements and enlargement. (addition of chancel, replacement of plaster ceiling with pitch-pine timber roof, new bench ends, font, tiling &c.). Contractor: Whelan & Watson, Newry. Cost nearly £700. Caen stone font presented by Dean's daughters.

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, PARSONAGE

Date: 1877

Nature: Tenders invited for erection of new parsonage; for Trusteesof Kilmorey estate.

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, HILL STREET, VICTORIA HOTEL

Date: 1878

Natur: To be rebuilt.

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, SANDYS STREET, PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (1ST)

Date: 1878

Nature: Tender of Wheelan & Watson of £692 for carrying out internal alts. & imps.accepted.

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, MARGARET SQUARE (& MARGARET STREET), SHOPS & HOUSES

Date: 1879

Nature: Large block of 3-storey buildings for mixed commercial and domestic use in process of erection. Gothic. Belfast brick and Dungannon freestone. For Felix O'Hagan. Contractor: Adam McGriffin.

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, HILL STREET, SHOP & WORKSHOP (JOHN MCAREVEY)

Date: 1879

Nature: New workshops and warerooms being built for John McArevey, cabinet maker. Contractor: Adam McGriffin.

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, MALL, MARTIN, NESBITT & IRWIN

Date: 1879

Nature: Grass seed stores and warehouses, engine house in course of erection for Mssrs. Martin, Nesbitt & Irwin. Belfast brick frontage with bands of coloured brickwork. To be completed by mid-June. Contractor: Adam McGriffin.

Building: CO. DOWN, ROSTREVOR, WATERWORKS

Date: 1881

Nature: Tender of £2,734 of Gregg, Mooney & Co., Dublin, for construction of same accepted, Mar 1881. Opened by Countess of Kilmorey, 25 Oct 1881.

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, HILL STREET, HALL

Date: 1883

Nature: New hall for use of Young Men's Societies completed 4 storeys with large meeting room and reading room. Contractor: Isaac Cunningham, Newry.

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, HILL STREET, YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN INSTITUTE

Date: 1883

Nature: New institute for Newry Church of Ireland and Presbyterian Young Men's Societies completed. Contractor: Isaac Cunningham, Newry.

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, DUBLIN ROAD, HOUSES

Date: 1884

Nature: '..several semi-detached villa residences, for Mr. Collins, of Newry… are to be at once commenced' adjoining Dublin Rd. Builder: Isaac Cunningham.

Building: CO. WICKLOW, BRAY, RECTORY (CI, KILBRIDE PARISH)

Date: 1884

Nature: Large rectory house, stables, coach house, out-offices &c. rapidly approaching completion. Builder: Alexander Wheelan, Newry. (A new incumbent, Ernest Hamilton Whelan, had been instituted on 17 Jan 1883.)

Building: CO. DOWN, WARRENPOINT, TOWN HALL

Date: 1884

Nature: New town hall to be built. Plans appr. by Local Government Board. For Warrenpoint Town Commissioners. Will seat 600.

Building: CO. DOWN, WARRENPOINT, METHODIST CHURCH (COKE MEMORIAL CHURCH)

Date: 1884-1885

Nature: New church on site occupied by existing chapel and several houses. Gothic style. Granite with Dungannon freestone. . FS laid 22 Aug 1884. Opened 6 Aug 1885. Contractor: Isaac Cunningham.

Building: CO. ARMAGH, BESSBROOK, COLLEGE SQUARE. TOWN HALL

Date: 1886

Nature: New town hall, 'very recently completed' in Mar 1886.. Granite. Contains hall to seat 800 on ground floor and smaller hall on 1st floor. For Mrs Richardson of Richardson & Co., whose workmen carried out the building.

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, DOWNSHIRE ROAD, MASONIC HALL

Date: 1887

Nature: New hall of English Gothic character drawing to completion. Freestone and brick. Centre gable 'rich with masonic devices'. Contractor: Alexander Wheelan, Newry.

Building: CO. DOWN, ROSTREVOR, HYDROPATHIC ESTABLISHMENT (PROPOSED)

Date: 1888

Nature: Plans being prepared for extensive hydropathic establishhment with 30 or 40 bedrooms, fresh and saltwater baths, Turkish baths, &c.. 3-storey frontage, 150 x 906 ft. For Ulster Sanitarium Co. Cost of building expected to be £9000 and of fittings and furniture £3000.

Building: CO. DOWN, WARRENPOINT, CHURCH OF ST MARY (CI)

Date: 1889

Nature: New chancel, new roofs to nave and transepts, replacement of timber windows with stone mullioned ones, &c.. Tender of Alexander Wheelan, Newry (£1,085) accepted Jan 1890. Church reopened 9 Jul 1890. Cost over £1,100.

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, MARCUS SQUARE, BELFAST BANK

Date: 1890

Nature: New bank premises. Tenders invited Apr 1890. Contract obtained by Alexander Wheelan, Newry. Estimated cost nearly £4,000.

Building: CO. DOWN, WARRENPOINT, STORES

Date: 1892

Nature: 'Large and important stores' being built for MR. R.A. Sims to replace those recently burned down. WJW supervising architect. Contractor: James Wilson, TC.

Building: CO. DOWN, RATHFRILAND, CHURCH OF ST JOHN (CI, DRUMGATH PARISH)

Date: 1892

Nature: Church reopened 6 May 1892 after remodelling of interior. New chancel added with triplet window. New flooring, re-seating, new pulpit, reading desk, lectern. Builders: Alexander Wheelan & John Thompson.

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, SCHOOL & TEACHER'S RESIDENCE

Date: 1894

ture: New school and teacher's residence to be built by intermediate school board.

Building: CO. DOWN, WARRENPOINT, BEACH HOTEL

Date: 1895

Nature: Adds. & imps. including addition of wing. For Irish Highlands Hotel Co. Tenders invited Apr 1895.

Building: CO. DONEGAL, BUNDORAN, GREAT NORTHERN HOTEL

Date: 1895

Nature: Tenders invited for adds., including new wing and bathroom block, Dec 1895. For Irish Highlands Hotel Co.

Building: CO. DOWN, SAVALMORE HOUSE (NEWRY)

Date: 1895a

Nature: Advertised as being to let, furnished or unfurnished, by WJW, Apr 1895. Does this imply that WJW was the architect?

Building: CO. DOWN, ROSTREVOR, MOURNE HOTEL (GREAT NORTHERN)

Date: 1898

Nature: Tenders invited for carrying out Enlargement and alterations, Sep 1898.

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, DISPENSARY

Date: 1898

Nature: New dispensary to be built for Guardians of Newry Union.

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, HOUSES (021)

Date: 1899

Nature: 21 artisans' dwellings for Newry UDC.

Building: CO. DOWN, ROSTREVOR, GIRLS' FRIENDLY SOCIETY HOUSE OF REST

Date: 1899

Nature: New central house of rest to be built at cost of £2000.

Building: CO. DOWN, WARRENPOINT, PRESBYTERIAN MANSE

Date: 1901

Nature: New. Tenders.

Building: CO. DOWN, ROSTREVOR, HOUSES

Date: 1902

Nature: Semi-detached residences.

Building: CO. DOWN, DROMALANE (NEWRY), HOUSES (024)

Date: 1902

Nature: Tenders invited for erecting 24 villa residences.

Building: CO. DOWN, CARNMEEN (NEWRY), HOUSE

Date: 1903

Nature: Tenders invited for erecting same (for Wickham Moorhead, Esq., Tudor Lodge, Newry?).

Building: CO. DOWN, NEWRY, ST MARY'S VICARAGE

Date: 1904

Nature: New vicarage. Tenders invited for erecting and completing same, Jun 1904.

Building: CO. DOWN, WARRENPOINT, PARK SHELTER

Date: 1909

Nature: Tio be built by UDC 'in accordance to plans by Mr Watson'.

Building: CO. DOWN, KILLOWEN (ROSTREVOR), NATIONAL SCHOOL

Date: 1909

Nature: New school?

Building: CO. DOWN, WARRENPOINT, METHODIST MANSE

Date ?

Nature: New manse to be erected on ground adjoining Methodist church.