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Pickwick Bicycle Club Magazine Volume 16 No.2 October 2019 !18
Who Were Your Early Namesakes?
Researching Your Ancestors
The Pickwick Bicycle Club has been in continuous existence since its formation
in 1870, and the soubriquets of its members have been faithfully passed down
from generation to generation. If you would like to receive the available
history of your soubriquet, please contact Joseph Smiggers at:
steve@stephenbullen.com and you will receive the information by return.
Dismal Man – Mr Pickwick awoken on banks of Medway by Dismal Man
“'To be before the footlights,' continued the dismal man, 'is like sitting at a grand court
show, and admiring the silken dresses of the gaudy throng; to be behind them is to be the
people who make that finery, uncared for and unknown, and left to sink or swim, to starve or
live, as fortune wills it.' 'Certainly,' said Mr. Snodgrass: for the sunken eye of the dismal
man rested on him, and he felt it necessary to say something. 'Go on, Jemmy,' said the
Spanish traveller, 'like black-eyed Susan--all in the Downs--no croaking--speak out--look
lively.' 'Will you make another glass before you begin, Sir ?' said Mr. Pickwick. The dismal
man took the hint, and having mixed a glass of brandy-and-water, and slowly swallowed half
of it, opened the roll of paper and proceeded, partly to read, and partly to relate, the
following incident, which we find recorded on the Transactions of the Club as 'The
Stroller's Tale.'”
Ramon Hu^on 1993 to 1999
Richard Annis 2002 to 2014
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Brown of Muggleton – a shoemaker
“'Stop a bit,' replied Sam, suddenly recollecting himself. 'Yes; there's a pair of Vellingtons a
good deal worn, and a pair o' lady's shoes, in number five.' 'What sort of shoes?' hastily
inquired Wardle, who, together with Mr. Pickwick, had been lost in bewilderment at the
singular catalogue of visitors. 'Country make,' replied Sam. 'Any maker's name?'
'Brown.' 'Where of?' 'Muggleton. 'It is them,' exclaimed Wardle. 'By heavens, we've found
them.'”
Joseph Bane 1942 to 1944
Paul T Traxton 1990 to 2018 
