James Binfield Bird (1831-1892)
1892 Obituary [1]
JAMES BINFIELD BIRD was born on the 31st of May, 1831.
At fifteen years of age he was articled to the late William Trumper of Dorney, Maidenhead, a surveyor of large practice, with whom he remained for seven years.
In 1853 he entered the office of Drivers and Co, surveyors, of Whitehall, London. So well did he perform the duties as an assistant in that office, that when Messrs. Drivers were asked to recommend an agent for the Ward Estates at Cowes in the Isle of Wight, he was selected for the post. Mr. Bird entered upon this appointment in 1860. The Ward Estates are upwards of 20,000 acres in extent, and he had to carry out numerous important works, including drainage, road-making, various buildings, and sea-walls.
In 1875 Mr. Bird resigned this agency, and from that time devoted his whole attention to the development of his business as an estate agent and valuer. Four years previously he had been appointed a surveyor to the Board of Trade, and he was also one of the Commissioners of Sewers for the Isle of Wight, and Surveyor to the Isle of Wight Railway. Besides practising in the Island, he had a large and increasing business in London. Mr. Bird died from internal haemorrhage on the 5th of February, 1892, at Busigny House, West Cowes. In manner he was kind and genial, and took a lively interest in the town of Cowes, where he resided for upwards of thirty years. He represented the parish of Northwood on the Board of Guardians, and for many years held a commission as lieutenant in the Cowes Battalion of the Isle of Wight Rifle Volunteer Corps. He was a Director of the Inns of Court Hotel and of several public companies.
Mr. Bird was elected an Associate of the Institution on the 3rd of March, 1868.