Echoes of our Past NEWS ....... 23rd March 1867

Read all about it……. Echoes of our past NEWS

What was in the local news this weekend in 1867?

MAIN NEWS –

*Spring is in the air –

The gardeners were getting ready for spring time, planting and clearing the gardens and vegetable patches.

William Beard of Stonegravels Nurseries was advertising his “best quality kitchen and flower garden and agricultural seeds”.  He sold cauliflower and cabbage plants, window plants and “strong cucumber”, fruit trees and ornamental shrubs.  One could even get their beloved a selection of cut flowers to make up as a bouquet.  He was also an agent to sell the latest lawn mower “Greens Patent Lawn Mower”. 

Alfred Proctor was selling garden sheds “cheap and good”.  Alfred was a nurseryman and gardener and had premises at Walton as well as selling his wares on Chesterfield Market; “fourth stall from Market Hall Corner and next to Mr Warner’s, Game Dealer”.

R W Proctor of Ashgate Road was also selling seeds for kitchen and flower gardens.  He was specifically advertising his sweet turnip seeds.  R W Proctor held a stall in the Market Place every Saturday.

OTHER ITEMS –

*Accident at Staveley Works –

A young man named Joseph Martin was employed at the works in the moulding shops.  On the day in question he was clearing out the boxes after a casting had been done.  He did not hear the shout to stand clear for the throwing down of clay wash, which was customary to clear away the red-hot sand which sticks to the sides.  The clay wash fell onto Joseph and scalded him on his face, arms and body. 

It was also recorded that Joseph was a cripple after an earlier accident at the works and that his younger brother had been badly scalded in a similar manner to this recent incident about a year ago at the same works.

*Bankrupt’s -

There were three men declared bankrupt according to the Bankruptcy Act 1861 –

v  John Allen of Whittington Moor, was an Ironstone Miner and Contractor

v  John Lafbery of Packer’s Row, Chesterfield was a dealer in spirits, cigars, tea and cooper

v  William Dixon of Barrow Hill, was a draper, hosier and moulder

*For Sale –

The contents of the parsonage at Old Brampton were put up for auction on Tuesday and Wednesday 2^nd and 3^rd April 1867.  The house had belonged to the late Reverend William Peach and his executors had given instruction to sell the “valuable household furniture”. 

The furniture included pieces made of rosewood and mahogany and the Reverend had collected a massive library of around 1500 books covering all subjects from Greek and Latin classics, English, theology and general literature.  The sale would also include horses, cattle, sheep, farming implements, fat pig, hay stack, bricks and old bricks and even a quantity of manure.

*Respectable ladies stealing –

Two ladies described as “respectably dressed” were appearing in front of the Chesterfield Police Court after John Webster a butcher in Chesterfield accused the two ladies of stealing two sheep’s heads and plucks.

The ladies were named Mary Johnson and Fanny Foster.  Fanny was the wife of the landlord of the Anchor Inn.  Both ladies were from Bolsover near Chesterfield. And on the night in question the local Police Sergeant Booth had seen Mr Webster’s cart under an archway near to Fanny Foster’s home.  The two ladies were observed go towards the cart and remove something from it.  Later that night Mr Webster had reported to Sergeant Booth that the items had been stolen.  Mr Webster had seen Fanny give an item back to a young girl that was with him and when approached she did state that she was sorry for her actions.

The defence argued that Mr Webster had taken the cart all around Bolsover that night, with a lad calling out the prices.  How could they be definite that the meat was stolen by Mary and Fanny when there were drunken men all over at that time of night; in between 1am and 2am?

The ladies were bailed by Mr Foster and released without charge.

*Traveling without a ticket –

Thomas Williamson, Samuel Hopkinson, Thomas Dorey, Dennis Crane, Michael Carrowin, Thomas Staley and John Kennedy were all found to be traveling on board the Midland Railway service from Staveley to Chesterfield train without a ticket.  The train transports the Staveley working men back and forth to Chesterfield. 

They all gave their excuses; Dennis Crane said he did not have a ticket as he had only started work there yesterday, but he did have a shilling to pay for a ticket now, Samuel Hopkinson said that he had left his ticket at home.

The train tickets should have been purchased on a fortnightly basis from either Staveley or Chesterfield Station.  The Magistrate let the men off as he said that there was no proof that they did not have a ticket.  The men wished him “long life to your Honours”

*Drunk and disorderly –

Anthony Lowe of Barlow was accused of being drunk and riotous on 10^th March, he pleaded not guilty.  P.C Hawkins said that he had seen Anthony and that he was in a drunken state, being very abusive and wanting to fight. 

Anthony called up William Fisher who had been drinking with him for 2 hours in the New Inn, who confirmed that Anthony was drunk but that there was no disturbance.  Samuel Freeman also agreed with this statement.

As Anthony had previous convictions he was found guilty and sentenced to 7 days hard labour.

*The first marriage at the Independent Chapel at Holymoorside –

Mr Joseph Brown married Miss Elizabeth Bray at the Independent Chapel on 16^th March 1867, the very first marriage to be solemnised at the Chapel.  The service was taken by the Rev J P Gledstone of Sheffield.  The couple were presented with a bound Bible to commemorate the momentous occasion.

MARRIAGES –

*Mr Thomas Rodgers of Staveley to Miss Mary Swift daughter of the late Richard Swift of Netherthorpe at Dore on 20^th March

*Mr Samuel Needham collier to Miss Hannah Bennett, daughter of George Bennett timber dealer of Brampton at St Thomas’s Church on 18^th March

*Mr Joseph Brown of Morton to Miss A Parker, fourth daughter of Wm Parker of Clay Cross at North Wingfield on 21^st March

DEATHS –

*Hannah Joel of Albert Terrace, Stonegravels after a long illness, wife to Mark Joel aged 49 years

*Ernest Walter Windle of Hasland aged 6 years on 18^th March, youngest son of the ate Mr Henry Windle builder

*Miss Sarah Botham at Brampton aged 58 years on 18^th March

*Mr Samuel Wheatcroft at Ashover on 12^th March, aged 79 years

*At the Union workhouse –

v  Stephen Jepson aged 19 years of Dronfield on 16^th March

v  Robert Bunting aged 15 years of Ashover on 14^th March

v  Jane Roberts aged 53 of Hasland on 19^th March

*Frederick Lilley so of Joseph Lilley brick maker of Brampton Moor, on 17^th March of small pox

*James Kelly labourer aged 18 years at Spa Lane on 21^st March

*Ann Taylor aged 56 years, widow of Samuel Taylor, at St Helen’s Street on 19^th March

WEATHER –

The weather in March of 1867 seems to be similar to that in 2013.  The inhabitants were expecting a nice “springwinter” and the tailors and drapers were said to be getting out their great coats and winter attires again.  It seems that although fine, it was bitterly cold but it was not putting off the people from getting out and about. 

AND FINALLY…

*Calling all pig breeders –

Joseph Brown of Station Inn, Morton was proudly showing off his latest purchase……… Young Prince, a 6 month old first class boar pig.   This prize pig was bred locally by Mr R Holbrock of Clay Cross, from mother pig Lambert Lass and father pig Wonder.