Friend, Robert

Introduction:

A second generation brewer and profilist of precision, ROBERT FRIEND (1760-1820) lived and traded solely in the fashionable spa town of Tunbridge Wells. His works are notable and rare; several are housed in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

In Tunbridge Wells 7th February 1777, Friend was apprenticed a brewer to his father Robert Friend Snr. By decade's end and in his late teens, Friend Jnr was producing profiles in the town. Exclusively bust-size, with variable bustline terminations, all compositions  were neatly painted using Indian ink, thinned where necessary to indicate transparent aspects of sitters' attire. McKechnie assessed his work rivalled that of his masterly near-contemporary Francis Torond (1743-1812) and certainly Friend's extant profiles evidence a confident hand.

Invariably signing his name beneath bustline terminations, versions recorded are: 'Rob. Friend, T. Wells', 'Friend, Tunb. Wells', 'Friend, Tunbridge-Wells' and 'R. Friend Pinx'. Two printed trade labels are known: 'Taken by R. FRIEND Tunbridge-Wells' and 'Taken by R. FRIEND, Tunbridge-Wells, at 8s 6d each, frame and glass included'.

Though a lack of newspaper advertising precludes plotting a timeline for his career, the shifting fashions of his sitters suggest he ceased crafting profiles ca.1790. The scarcity of his output may perhaps be accounted for if he worked solely during 'The Season', which, for visitors, stretched between Midsummer and early October. In Paul Amsinck's 1810 Guide 'Tunbridge-Wells and its neighbourhood...' , it stated that, as late as 1790, it was '...very unusual for visitors to remain beyond November'. In addition, possible increasing commitments to the family 'Mount Pleasant Brewery' may have terminated his profile-taking enterprise.

Regarding his family circumstances, he was the eldest of 5 offspring: 2 sons, 3 daughters, born between 1760-1765 to Elizabeth née Hollamby (N/K) and Robert Friend Snr (N/K) and was baptised in Tunbridge Wells 18th April 1760, 3 months after his parents wed. He himself married Speldhurst-born Ann Wood (1758-1831) in Tonbridge in May 1792, who bore him 3 daughters between 1794-1800.

Eldest daughter Mary Ann (1794-1873) wed linen draper Isaac Hodgson in 1811 when she was 16. The marriage may have been hastily arranged, as her only child was born 6 months later. Middle daughter Jane (1796-after 1830) unwed, disappears from records after 1830, while daughter Elisabeth Ann (1800-1888) married schoolmaster William Gordon Plees (1805-1887) in 1827, giving birth to 9 children between 1828-1843. Illustrated in McKechnie, a cut-work profile of one of their daughters was taken in 1848 by John James McGinn (ca.1811-1897) in Kingston-upon-Hull.

In Tunbridge Wells it appears Friend's abode was on Mount Sion, one of 3 hills or mounts, the others being Mounts Pleasant and Ephraim. In part, all were developed to provide seasonal accommodation to visitors, and his wife's will of 1830 records her 'of Mount Sion', with a further 3 cottages there in her possession. In addition, in December 1787 and January 1793, Royal Sun Alliance insurance records show 'Robert Friend near Mount Pleasant, Brewer...[also insured]...Chalk Hall, top of Mount Sion'. Hopefully Friend's policies were current in 1818, as the KENTISH WEEKLY POST 31st July related his home was burgled of 2 bolsters, 4 pillows, and 2 feather beds.

Aged 60, Robert Friend died 23rd August 1820 and was interred 2 days later at St. Mary's Church, Speldhurst, Kent.

Revised 9 February 2025 (Brian Wellings)

 

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