there in 1858.[1] He was buried in Catherington Churchyard, September 10th, 1805, aged 71; but no tombstone was erected to his memory.
William Beldham was born at Wrecclesham, near Farnham, in Surrey, February 5, 1766, but has lived a great part of his life since 1821 at Tilford, near the same place, where at one time he kept a public-house. He was for many years the 'crack' batsman of England, and his average is one of the largest that has ever been made, obtained too, against the best bowling and fielding of that time, being (says John Nyren in his book) 'a most venomous hitter'. As a bowler he delivered high and well, pace moderate, yet bordering on the fast, and getting up quick. He was also an excellent judge of a short run, had a good knowledge of the game, and was a very fine field. Altogether his performances have been exceeded but by few cricketers (if any), combining as he did, batting, bowling, fielding, wicket-keeping, and single-wicket playing, excelling in all. A few have played longer from first to last, but no cricketer besides Beldham has ever run an unbroken career of 35 years in great matches, as his name will be found in the Gentlemen and Players match as far on as 1821, and he never missed a season. He stated that not near all the matches in which he played were published in 'Bentley', and therefore (as in the case with many other cricketers, especially of former days) many of his wonderful feats are lost. In one single-wicket match against John Wells's bowling he made 131 runs, but the score is lost. He learned his cricket from Harry Hall, a gingerbread baker at Farnham, who used to give lessons on the 'Noble Game'. He was a farmer's son, had light coloured hair, with a fair complexion, and used to be called 'Silver Billy' by his fellow cricketers. His height is 5ft. 8½in. and his weight about 11 stones. He stated that when about twelve years of age, the size
- ↑ It is there still, as Mr. New's picture opposite p. 184, from a photograph taken by Mr. C. B. Fry, testifies. E.V.L.
