1825 - Entry No. 1618 page 203 of the Register of Saint Marylebone Parish Church states that Samuel Vagg was born at Paddington on 22nd March 1825 and baptised June 1825 he was the son of Samuel and Elizabeth Vagg of Paddington his father was a Sawyer by trade.

1845 - On the 19th of January 1845, Sam marries his first wife Amelia Collins Smith at Brompton.

c.1855 - In the mid 19th century many public houses were licensed for music and dancing, often with a small music hall on the first floor. In these early days Sam plied his trade as chimney sweep by day, but by night he toured the public houses and early music halls as Sam Collins, "Irish" singer and performer. Resplendent in his Irish costume he would sing "The Limerick Races" or the "Rocky Road to Dublin", although as a Londoner it is unlikely that he ever visited these places. His first appearance was at "Evans Song and Supper Rooms". He also sang at the Oxford Street "Panthon", "The Britannia" and "The Canterbury".

c. 1855 - In what was possibly his first venture into managment, Sam used the money he had made 'on the halls' to take over the tenancy of the "Welsh Harp" at Hendon, on the road between Kilburn and Edgware, which he promptly renamed the "Irish Harp".

1856 - Originally, the "Rose of Normandy" tavern had been the centre of a vanished pleasure garden resort known as Marylebone Gardens. When Sam took over the management in 1856 (check), he coverted it into the "Marylebone Music Hall", it was not a success and he gave it up in 1861. His successor, W. Botting, ran it as a music-hall into the 1890s, he later attended Sams funeral.

1859 - Extract from John Wiltons Journal.

18th March 1859
A great day indeed! Aubrey, Jacob Maggs and Ennor confirm the New Grand Music Hall can hold its Opening Night in ten days time. Their labours and those workmen have ensured a successful metamorphosis from the 'old' hall to the 'new' one. Accordingly, I have secured a very special 'bill' for that auspicious date (i.e. 28th March 1859). In particular, my friend Sam Collins, who has incidentally found a niche on his own comic staff at the 'Marylebone' for Hollingsworth, is certain of success at Wilton's. Post-haste I deliver the 'copy' for our regular Era space this Sunday:

1859 - Sam is mentioned in 'The Era' review of the opening night of Wilton's Grand Music Hall.

1859 - Extract from John Wiltons Journal.

19th May 1859
There was a Grand Benefit for Dear Sam Collins tonight. Charles Sloman needed but little persuasion to encore that patriotic song of his own writing 'The Naval Volunteers'. Sam was as cheery as ever, bvut seems tired and a trifle ailing (S.C. was quite ill the next day, and was unable to work his turn for us until Saturday, 4th June).

1859 - Extract from John Wiltons Journal. Sam along with W.G. Ross provide after dinner entertainment at a testimonial dinner held in honour of John Wilton at the London Tavern on the 30th August 1859.
(John Wiltons Music Hall by Peter Honri p.23)

1860 - Extract from John Wiltons Journal.

New Years Day 1860
...Sam Collins appears punctually at half past ten o'clock, having worked his regular turn at his own establishment at eight o'clock, and an hour later he's on stage at the Middlesex being introduced by Harry Fox...

1860 - Sam is refused a Music Hall licence for the Upper Welsh Harp at Hendon. (The Times)

1861 - Extract from John Wiltons Journal.

10th February 1861
Most interested in The Era's comments on the new Society formed 'to enable Artists of ackmowledged talent to obtain engagements, and to prevent incompetent Vocalists, etc., being forced upon proprietors by unprincipled Agents'. I see the 'Present Members' of the Proprietors and Professionals Mutual Anti-Agency Society are Ross, Collins, Stead, Lingard, Mackney, Critchfield, Hollingsworth, Wieland and Ware. Managers and Proprietors will be 'Hon. Members'.

1861 - On the 24th March 1861 Sam's first wife Amelia dies at 35 Marylebone Road.

1861 - 20th May 1861, Sam Collins is mentioned in a copy of The Era where he is performing at The South London Music Hall.
(John Wiltons Music Hall by Peter Honri p.29)

1861 - On the 3rd August 1861 Sam married his cousin (check) Anne Vagg by Special Licence. Her parents were Thomas and Hannah Vagg of South Petherton. (London Marriage Allegation-Guildhall July 29 1861).

1861 - Sam is declared a bankrupt licenced victualler of Gower Street, Bedford Square.

Bankruptcy Court Proceedings - November 1861.
Before Mr. Commissioner Fane. Samuel Vagg, otherwise Collins. The bankrupt is described as a licenced victualler of Gower-street, but is better known as a professional singer. His debts are only 755l; his assests about 140l. He was awarded a first class certificate, Mr. Murrough and Mr. Harcourt appeared in the matter.

1861 - Boxing Day, Sam Collins is mentioned in a John Wiltons Journal where he is performing at Wiltons Grand Music Hall.
(John Wiltons Music Hall by Peter Honri p.31)

1862 - 14th April 1862, Sam Collins is mentioned in a John Wiltons Journal where he is performing at Wiltons Grand Music Hall.
(John Wiltons Music Hall by Peter Honri p.31)

1862 - In 1862 Sam acquired the "Lansdowne Arms" public house on the north side of Islington Green from Mr. Montgomery the former proprieter (check). The premises began as the "Lansdowne Tavern" in Paradise Row, Islington Green, where by 1846 the landlord put customers who wanted to sing, and later paid performers in a separate room. Soon after the purchase, Sam opened it as the "Lansdowne Music Hall", but difficulties with licensing led to its almost immediate closure.

1863 - Extract from John Wiltons Journal.

9th October 1863
Accompanied Sam Collins, when he applied for the Music and Dancing licences for the Lansdowne, Islington. The previous landlord became a bankrupt, and the licence has lapsed. Sam assured the Bench, that the house would be shut up altogether on Sundays. 'Being out singing all week', he said, 'I want to rest on this Sunday!'
A drawing of the proposed new concert room was put in - the Hall will be able to accomodate between 700 and 800 persons. The licence was granted almost unanimously. Sam tells me that James McDonald will manage the Hall for him, and it opens for business on Wednesday, 4th November, as Sam Collin's Music Hall.

1863 - Sam enlarged, redecorated and obtained a license and on 4th November 1863 he reopened with a capacity of 600 under the name "Collins's Music Hall", although it was colloquially known as "The Chapel on the Green". In all about 20 public houses and halls had music licenses in 1863.

Court Proceedings - October 1863
Samuel Vagg, otherwise "Sam Collins," applied for a licence for music for the Lansdowne Arms, Islington. Mr Sleigh appeared in support of the application, and said the applicant was the well-known comic singer, who had purchased the premises and expended a large sum of money upon them. When he applied on a former occasion it was refused on the ground that the licence had lapsed, and he was technically out of court, and the magistrates expressed their regret in being obliged to refuse it and said that when he next made an application he should receive a favourable consideration. One condition was a stipulation that on no account should the house be opened for any purpose whatever on a Sunday, wishing to have that day as a day of rest. The room was fire-proof, and there were five iron doors, which would afford ample means of egress in the event of fire. The other parts of the building were made of stone.
Mr. Dixon asked how many hall would hold?
The applicant replied between 700 and 800 persons.
Mr. Henry White, a magistrate, said as the applicant had given a promise not to open the house on a Sunday he hoped the magistrates would mark their approbation of it by granting the licence.
The chairman put the motion, and the licence was granted.
The Inspector of Police of the district said he could vouch for the statement as to the respectable way in which Mr. Vagg had coducted his house.

1863 - Extract from John Wiltons Journal.

4th November 1863
Sam's Music Hall opened tonight. It is quite different in shape to the majority of halls - it is 70' long, 45' wide and 30' high, whilst the balcony only extends along the side opposite the stage. The auditorium is lit by eleven drop-jets - a style similar to that present at Weston's and the Oxford. The auditorium is approached through a wide lofty hall. Supper and retiring rooms are attached. Congratulated both Sam and his manager McDonald on the facilities. The performers on the Opening Night were all well-known to me - Charley Wilkins, George Forde, Paddy Fannin and the young serio, Nelly Power. Sam ribs me about my Pepper's Illusions, and I inform him that a new Tableau is to open at Wilton's on 23rd November - 'The Sailor's Wife' or the 'Spirit of the deep'. He warns me to go easy with the sales of rum, otherwise some of the seafarers will seek to climb aboard the stage!

1865 - When Sam died on the 24th May 1865, aged 39, his funeral was attended by John Wilton (check) of "John Wilton's Music Hall" who gave this account:-

30th May 1865.
...Am present at the Kensal Green funeral of my old friend Sam Collins. A number of other Proprietors came along to pay their tributes to Sam. I noticed Edwin Williams (Sun Music Hall, Knightsbridge), Botting (Marylebone Music Hall), Abrahams (Poplar) and James Deacon. Emil Loibl (London Pavilion) was particularly distraught. Harry Fox from the 'Mo' (Mogul Saloon) was there, and a host of comic singers and other artists - Randall, Forde, Fred French, Stead, Fannin, Sloman, Critchfield, Vance and the (recently) blind A. B. Hollingsworth, who seems as cheery as ever in conversation...

Also present was H. Chance-Newton who, writing in about 1928, recalled:-

While I was but a boy, Sam Collins took a public house on Islington Green. It was called the Lansdowne Arms, and of it he made one of the most popular music halls of the period. He called it Sam Collins's. It soon became Collins's for short, and Collins's it remains, although for some time past its music-hallism has been transformed into melodramatics, and twice-nightly blood-and-thunder thrillsomeness, now plus "pictures".

It was at Collins's, just after it opened, that Sam, a friend of many of my theatrical and variety relations, used to teach me little snatches of Irish songs and sundry steps of Irish jigging. As I was entering my teens, Sam passed away, and his funeral was one of the biggest I every saw, for Sam was not only an excellent entertainer, but a splendid fellow. So much so, that the then famous song writer and "motto" singer, Harry Sydney, himself a noble character, whom all of us loved, wrote this epitaph for Sam's tomb:

'Farewell, brave honest-hearted Sam,
until we meet before the Great I Am.'

Sam died of Rheumatic Fever after a short illness at 10 Paradise Row, Islington Green, Islington. His grave in Kensal Green cemetery (16492/80/RS) is marked by a tombstone representing his Irish-style billycock hat and shillelagh. His first wife Amelia C. Vagg, who was buried in 1861, lies along side him.

In his will he left the Music Hall to his second wife, Anne Vagg along with £4,000.

Will of Samuel Vagg. 13th July 1865. Effects under £4,000. The will of Samuel Vagg late of the "Lansdown Arms" Islington Green in the county of Middlesex Licenced Victualler, deceased, who died 25th May 1865 at the "Lansdowne Arms" aforesaid was proved at the Principal Registry by the oath of Anna Vagg of the "Lansdowne Arms" aforesaid Widow the Relict the Sole Executrix.

abt. 1867 - Samuel Vagg, father of Sam Collins dies and is mentioned along side his son in the following newspaper report.

Death of Mr. Samuel Vagg - Last Monday evening there died, somewhat suddenly, at High Street, Uxbridge, Mr. Samuel Vagg, father of the inimitable Hibernian delineator Sam Coillins, whose remains were but a year or two ago deposited in Kensal Green Cemetary. Not snatched away in the bloom of youth, in the flush of hope and expectancy, but having outrun the allotted period of human life by eight years. Mr. Vagg's decease will yet be deeply mourned by afflicted relatives, and many professional comedians who long lived in friendly intercourse with his genial hearted son will stay their business of mirth a moment to drop an expression of genuine regret. In the time of his strong manhood Mr. Vagg, who did not share his son's vocal and salutatory predilections, was employed in the government shipwrights yards of Portsmouth and his quaint tales of such events as the visit of Field Marshall Blucher, after the famous conduct at Waterloo, would wile away a tedious hour.

1867 - On the 21st September 1867, Sam's widow Anne married Henry Watts, who was also a widower at Islington parish church. Henry was a Licenced Victualler of Colney Hatch, his father also called Henry was also a Licenced Victualler. Anne's father Thomas' occupation was given as builder. The witnesses were Samuel Davis and Sarah Sprake.

1878 - Many of the early music halls had to close due to safety regulations introduced in 1878.

1881 - Anne Watts (nee Vagg), Sam's first wife died on the 14th March 1881 and left the Music Hall to her nephew Herbert Sprake. Herbert was born on the 5th April 1853 in Yeovil, the son of Frederick and Elizabeth Sprake (nee Vagg). He is known to have had two sons, Herbert Arthur and Lesley Cecil. His grandson once lived in Essex. He is Claire Monks (check) great, great grandfather.

1885 - The entrance and hall are rebuilt by Edward Clarke. By 1888 about 24 public houses and halls had music licenses in London.

1897 - The auditorium was rebuilt as a theatre by E. A. E. Woodrow in 1897. The architects were "Messrs Drew Bear, Perks & Co." and the contractors were "C Dearing & Co". It reopened with a capacity of 1,800, an interior in the style of Louis XIV and 10 bars, under the name "Collin's Theatre of Varieties".

1898 - Thomas Richards was the manger.

1908 - After a fire, repair works to the auditorium commenced, these alterations included the removal of six circle boxes. It was reopened with a capacity of 1,444 under the name "Islington Hippodrome". It continued under this name as a repertory theatre through the duration of the first world war.

1911 - Renovations works by Lovegrove and Papworth. Proprietor, Arthur Lewellyn Williams.

1931 - Installation of new heating and ventilation. It opened as a variety theatre following music-hall traditions.

1937 - It became a repertory theatre again.

aft 1945 - After the Second World War attendances dwindled and the quality of the shows declined.

(A 1945 flyer from the music hall.)	(A 1949 flyer from the music hall.)

1958 - A fire in the adjoing timber yard in 1958 destoyed much of the building and the music hall closed for good. At it's height between 92 and 162 acts were put on each evening and performers who stared there included Charlie Chaplin, Marie Lloyd, George Robey, Harry Lauder, Harry Tate, George Formby, Wilkie Bard, Vesta Tilley, Tommy Trinder, Gracie Fields, Tommy Handley and Norman Wisdom.

1963 - The site was sold to Anderson Timber Company, who owned the adjoing timber yard. Much of the building was demolished (check), but the façade was saved and subsequently rebuilt for use as Anderson Timber Company's office accommodation. It is currently a Waterstone's Bookshop. (check)

Notes

1958 - Mrs. A. Whight of Chelmsford, Essex who was age 85 in June 1958 was a close relation of Sam. Her grandfather Robert Vagg was a cousin to him. Her father Henry was four years old when his father Robert brought his family to London, Henry eventually became a builder who used to tell his children of his grandfather Samuel s life in Somerset, and how they used to refer to him as the Squire from Somerset.

References