Occupation: Gardener (1881); Nurseyman and Seedman (1901); Beekeeper
Robert was for many years head gardener at Staunton Hall, near Newark.
He then carried on a seeds and bee appliance business for 40 years, his
shop at 43, Northgate, Newark, being well known to all bee-keepers and
gardeners within a wide radius.
Death: 1 February 1932, in Newark district, Nottinghamshire, England, aged 82
Obituary: The British Bee Journal 18 February 1932 Obituary Notice
MR. R. MACKENDER.
There is naturally always a feeling of sadness and a sense of loss
when we have to record the passing of our friends, especially those who
have, been of the brotherhood of bee-keeping. This feeling is
multiplied a hundred-fold in announcing the death on Monday, February
1, of the guide, philosopher and friend of our early bee-keeping days,
Mr. Robert Mackender, of Newark. Whatever success we and our brother,
Mr. W. Herrod-Hempsall, have attained in the pursuit of beekeeping is
due to our feet having been firmly planted in the right path from the
beginning by Mr. Mackender, and to the kindly help and advice he was
always willing to give in the following years.
It is over forty years since we first met Mr. Mackender, when he came
as gardener to the Manor House at Sutton-on-Trent. A warm friendship
was struck between our two families from our first acquaintance, which
has continued unbroken up to the present day.
Mr. Mackender, who was 82 years of age, was born at Mildenhall,
in Suffolk, and was for many years head gardener at Staunton Hall, near
Newark, from whence he went to Sutton-on-Trent, and on leaving there he
went to Newark where for 40 years he has carried on a seeds and bee
appliance business, his shop at 43, Northgate being well known to all
bee-keepers and gardeners within a wide radius. As one of the oldest
members of the Notts Bee-keepers' Association, he was probably known to
the majority of beekeepers, not only in the county but beyond its
borders. He has been on the Notts B.K.A. Committee for many years
<?> rendered valuable assistance at shows, lectures, etc. No
bee-keeper who went to him for help and advice was sent empty away. A
man of kindly and generous disposition, a <?> Christian
gentleman, it is safe to say he had not an enemy, but all those who
knew him at all intimately held him in the highest esteem. "A man he
was to all the country dear"
He was wonderfully hale and vigorous for his age, and took a
keen interest in all beekeeping matters, the last important function
in which he took part being at a gathering of Notts and Derbyshire
bee-keepers at the house of Mrs. Huse at Stanton-by-Dale, Derbyshire,
where he gave an address.
Mr. Mackender was an elder of the Baptist Church, and at a
memorial service the minister spoke in the highest terms of his worth
and services. His life was a model and example of what a true
Christian's should be, and as one of his sons said: "He died as he had
lived - nobly."
Although Mr. Mackender kept his methods and practical
bee-keeping up-to-date, he evidently had a kindly feeling for at least
one old superstition, for we read in a local paper he desired that at
his death the old Custom of "telling the bees" should be observed, and
soon after he had passed away this ceremony was performed by his
grandson, Mr.R. Mackender, "telling the bees" in the six hives in the
garden at his home that their master had passed away.
"Bees, sing softly; bees, sing low; He is dead who loved you so."
We are sure all our readers will join us in expressing our deepest
sympathy with Mrs. Mackender and the family in their bereavement.
Census: 1881:
Private House; Staunton, Nottingham, England
1901: Newark, Nottinghamshire: Robert Mackender is aged 51, born in Wildenshall, Suffolk. Occupation: Nurserymand + Seedman
1911: Newark, Nottinghamshire: Robert Mackender is aged 61
Sources:
Birth: England Birth Index
(4Q1849 Mildenhall vol 13 p435); exact place from 1881 census
Marriage: England Marriage
Index (3Q1874 Bromley vol 2a p505)
Occupation: 1881 census; obituary
Death: England Death
Index (1Q1932 Newark vol 7b p610); exact date from obituary in The British Bee Journal 18 February 1932
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