Whilst researching Joseph Greenwood, I was drawn back to his grandfather on his mother's side. Needless to say, I was side-tracked, as has happened at various stages of this novel, but I'm glad I was. He was an interesting fellow, and worthy of a mention in this blog.
The following is taken from my earlier blog, The Greenwood Tree:
'The son of a poulterer in Brook's Market, Leather Lane, Holborn, Joseph Shepherd Munden was born early in 1758, and was at the age of twelve in an apothecary's shop. Writing a good hand he was subsequently apprenticed to Mr. Druce, a law stationer in Chancery Lane. Prompted by his admiration for Garrick, he was in the habit of running away to join strolling companies, and was more than once brought home by his mother.
In Liverpool he was engaged for a while at 10s. 6d. a week in the office of the town clerk, augmenting his income by appearing on the stage as a supernumerary. After playing with strollers at Rochdale, Chester, &c., and having the customary experience of hardship, he was engaged to play old men at Leatherhead. Thence he proceeded to Wallingford, Windsor, and Colnbrook, returned to London, took part in private performances at the Haymarket, and began to make his mark at Canterbury under Hurst, where in 1780 he was the original Faddle in Mrs. Burgess's comedy, 'The Oaks, or the Beauties of Canterbury.'
In the company of Austin and Whitlock in Chester he held a recognised position, and he played at Brighton, Whitehaven, Newcastle, Lancaster, Preston, and Manchester. Money was then advanced to enable him to purchase the share of Austin in the management of the Chester, Newcastle, Lancaster, Preston, Warrington, and Sheffield theatres. At Covent Garden, with occasional summer appearances at the Haymarket, and frequent excursions into the country, he remained until 1811, rising gradually to the position of the most celebrated comedian of his day.
Joseph made a name for himself as a man of many faces. He was regarded as a caricaturist, being able to change his countenance depending on the situation. He was also apparently quite generous until he nearly drowned on his way back to London from Dublin in 1803. After that he became miserly with his money, leaving his wife an inadequate amount in his will. This was all the more inappropriate considering she rescued him from bad publicity brought about through his previous de facto relationship with Mary Jones, my four times great grandmother.'
Joseph features early on in my book, with his wife, the actress Frances Butler. She had social position, inherited from her father, and it seems she supported Joseph rather than concentrate on her own career, for the duration of their marriage.
Coincidentally, (or perhaps genetically) our son Richie Goodacre is a comedian in Brisbane, Australia. Fortunately he hasn't inherited the features!
