When I first became friendly with the Jessup brothers in 1948, Ronald had already put Kent's archaeologists in his debt with his pioneer work The Archaeology of Kent (1930). He also produced the seventh edition of Methuen's Little Guides to the County (1950) for which Frank contributed the section on place-names. Although a member of Council, Frank at this time seemed to be more of an educational administrator than an antiquarian pundit. He had been called to the bar at Gray's Inn in 1935, had made his mark as Deputy Education Officer for Kent, and published a book on Problems of Local Government in England and Wales in 1949 as well as Local Government in Outline.
F. W. Jessup, C.B.E., M.A., LI.B., F.S.A. Credit: A. Crawshaw, A.R.P.S.
These were happy days for the Society's Council. The very worst occurrence at AGMs was the popping up of member Tracy Beale (1893 vintage) to complain to President Major Max Teichman-Derville that he didn't think that Lord Cornwallis should be included in the list of Vice-Presidents. Every member of Council looked forward to the Summer meeting at the President's home, The Red House, Littlestone. There, with recent memories of Forces hard tack and ration cards still clear before us, we were regaled with splendid victuals and wines. And with us·pre-War stalwarts such as the Falstaffian figure of Frank Elliston Erwood (of happy memory) dispensing wit, wisdom and obiter dicta and genial Sir Edward Harrison, master of the tactics of the Inland Revenue.
Archaeologia Cantiana for 1949 (lxii) contained two noteworthy items. Frank Jessup had taken over the General Secretaryship from Sir Edward and had produced an article on 'A New Romney Mayoral Dispute' which showed in which direction he was going to allow his legal and documentary knowledge to take him. To emphasize the point he and Ronald produced a book on The Cinque Ports in 1952.
But then Frank decided to desert the County for a while and departed for Oxford in 1952 to become Director for External Studies. We saw him occasionally as he still retained the Secretaryship (until 1961). He relinquished the Directorship in 1976. We were all pleased when in this same year he became involved with the British Library Advisory Council. Meanwhile in 1973 he had become Vice-Chairman of the Universities Council for Adult Education. He was now moving in exclusive, national circles. In 1976 he returned to our fold as President, no sinecure as it meant long sojourns on our temperamental railway system in order to maintain the level of attendance which he imposed on himself!
During his period in the wilderness he had not been idle Kentwise. An encounter with the Feet of Fines in 1956 was followed by virtually a best seller in A History of Kent (1958). This book was a pioneer one for the county and did much good when circulated round our schools. There was also a pamphlet (published by the Kent Education Committee), modestly called The History of Kent - a select bibliography (1966) - most useful for those finding their way amidst Kent's myriad tomes. It accompanied his Kent History Illustrated also published by the K.C.C.
In 1965 Frank wrote Sir Roger Twysden 1597-1672 and sent me a copy which he inscribed 'a little token of gratitude and friendship'. I hope that this little note in honour of a departing President is written in the same spirit. In Who's Who 1981 Frank's hobbies are listed as reading, music and gardening. Long may he peacefully enjoy them.
Allen Grove
