Update of the PAST NEWS.... 7th February 1857

Catch up on the full story of last weeks NEWS...........

*The sewing machine –

 

 

An actual patent for a model of a sewing machine was first issued to English man named Thomas Saint in 1790.  He had developed the idea for use in sewing leather and canvas and it is not known whether an actual machine was ever built.  Thomas was a cabinet maker by trade and his skill was shown in the way he used his knowledge to design the sewing machine.

Over the next decade numerous sewing machines were built all around the world; Austrian tailor was able to produce an actual working machine in 1814.  In America Elias Howe was the first to patent a working machine in 1845 which caught the eye of Isaac Marritt Singer.  Back in England, many years later in 1874 a man named William Newton Wilson found the patent of Thomas’s machine and with slight amendments to the looper, he built his own machine. 

Over the years ahead the machine was adapted and improved until it became more able to undertake various different types of stitches including crochet and even stitching button holes.  Just a year earlier than the sewing machine was being shown to the locals of Chesterfield the four main companies who each manufactured sewing machine came together as one; the sewing machine combination was formed on 10^th March 1856.  The companies were Singer, Howe, Wheeler and Wilson and Grover and Baker.  The combination meant that the men would pool their patents as previously there had been much suing for stealing ideas.  From 1856 to 1877 any other manufacturer had to pay a fee of $15 per machine and obtain a licence.

To read more –

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sewing_machine

http://inventors.about.com/od/sstartinventions/a/sewing_machine.htm

http://www.timetoast.com/timelines/123481

 

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*The happy couple –

 

Martha Manknell and Leonard Worrall married on 1^st February 1857 at the Holy Trinity Church, Chesterfield.

 

Leonard was born in Chesterfield in 1835, the son of Stephen and Mary Agnes Worrall who lived on Newbold Road.  Stephen was a watchman in 1851.  Leonard was baptised at St Marys and All Saints Parish Church in Chesterfield on 7^th March 1835.

 

At the young age of 16 years old Leonard obviously had artistic talent as on the 1851 census he was described as a “painter composition”.  By 1861 and after only 4 years of marriage Leonard and Martha have 4 children; Alfred aged 3 years, Mary E aged 2 years, William Joseph aged 1 year and baby Herbert Foster aged just 1 month at the time of the census.  The family live at Lievesley Yard off of Portland Street and Leonard is employed as a printer.

 

Move on 10 years to 1871 and Leonard and his family have moved away from Chesterfield to nearby Sheffield.  They are living at 3 Montfort Street at Brightside Bierlow and Leonard is employed as a printer compositor.  They have 3 more children; Alice aged 5 years, Leonard aged 1 year and Agnes a new-born at less than 1 month old. 

 

The family still live in Sheffield in 1881 at 45-47 Fitzalen Street at Brightside Bierlow.  May be the printing business was not earning a decent living, but now Leonard runs a grocery and provisions shop as well as being a printer compositor.

 

Leonard died on 28^th October 1890.  His address at the time was 31 and 33 Fitzalan Street and he was described as a “compositor and provision dealer”.  He left a personal estate of £181 7s 3d to his widow Martha.  Leonard was buried at Burngreave Cemetery on 2^nd November 1890, grave number 82, section P1 (1)

 

Martha remained running the grocers shop on Fitzalen Street until at least 1901.  In 1911 Martha has retired and is living with her widowed daughter Agnes at 56 Bressingham Road, West Brightside, Sheffield.  She died a few years later in 1914 aged 78 years old.

 

(1)http://www.sheffieldindexers.com/BurialIndex.html

 

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Echoes of our PAST NEWS..... 7th February 1857

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

What was in the local news this weekend in 1857?

MAIN NEWS –

*Funeral of Sergeant Warren –

Sergeant Warren was buried on Monday 2^nd February in the afternoon.  He was a member of the Chatsworth Rifles and his funeral took place at Trinity Church on Newbold Road.

The sombre scene was sent into turmoil when a “most disreputable mob” followed the procession.  The coffin was removed from the barracks to begin its final journey and already a mob of “roughs” had congregated outside of the gates.  As they waited they did not stand in dignified silence, no they took advantage of the weather and began throwing snowballs at each other and passers-by.  They were very vocal and caused much shock with their comments.

When eventually the funeral procession arrived at Trinity Church, the mob did not stop their riotous behaviour.  Even when the coffin was about to be lowered the snowballs continued to be thrown overhead.  The officiating Minister Mr Poole had to dodge the snowballs around his head and at one point stopped the service altogether.  He did try to talk to the men to ask them to cease their unwieldy behaviour, but to no avail.  A lady stood in a door way received a snow ball straight in the mouth. 

After the burial the band continued to play as the procession left the graveyard, at this point the mob began pelting them so violently with snowballs that they had to cease playing.  It was said that the police were in attendance but not in sufficient numbers to deal with the men.

The whole scene was labelled “disgraceful” “the most solemn sight a human being can witness – the consignment of a fellow creature to the dust – heartlessly profaned and turned into an occasion of mad rejoicing than of sorrow”

OTHER ITEMS –

*The first sewing machine in Chesterfield –

Mr Goodwin on Packers Row was a proud man when he introduced the inhabitants of Chesterfield to the sewing machine.  The first ever to be seen in Chesterfield, this really was a sign of industry and modernisation. 

The locals were demonstrated how the machine would aid the tailors with the “flagging” work and could be used in general use for all.  It was hailed as “extremely simple” to use, “all the labour it requires consisting in working a treddle with the foot, and shifting the cloth under a slide as fast as the needle pierces it”. 

The machine would enable an hour’s job to be completed in 5 minutes.  It was capable of all work, “except sewing on buttons”.  They predicted that in it would “completely supersede hand labour”.  Little did they know that in 2013 we have sewing machines that can sew on buttons, but hand sewing has still not been totally overthrown by the sewing machine.  What an invention though, the industrial revolution had landed well and truly on the everyday person in a little Midlands Town like Chesterfield.

*Snow causing hardship –

We have already heard that Chesterfield had been covered with a fair amount of snow this week in 1857 but how would it affect the locals? 

The stonemasons and quarrymen of Stanton near to Bakewell had been out of employ due to the weather since the first frost.  Times would be very difficult for them and so they called on W P Thornhill Esq M.P to ask if he would permit a day’s rabbiting on his land as they had been out of work for so long.  He reacted kindly and doubled their request to 2 days rabbiting and donated £5 to be shared between the men.

*Robbery at Matlock Bath –

On Saturday last thieves broke into the garden house of Colonel Leacroft of Tor House, Matlock Bath.  They stole 6 tame rabbits and a further rabbit that was the largest but “not exactly in marketable state” was left dead after the thieves maliciously killed it.

*Temperance Hotel –

Invitations were called to provide the contract for the building work of a Temperance Chapel at Stonegravels.

MARRIAGES –

*Mr J Thompson of White Banks, Hasland to Miss Elizabeth Barber of Chesterfield

*Mr Leonard Worrall a printer to Martha Manknell daughter of the late Mr Wm Manknell

*Mr Thomas Turner to Miss Elizabeth Marples on 20^th January at Dronfield

DEATHS –

*Mr Joshua Warren at Chesterfield, a sergeant with the Chatsworth Rifles aged 39 years

*Mrs Jane Hanstock wife of Peter, after a short illness aged 36 years

*Mary Barlow widow of Mr T Barlow on 3^rd February at Barlow

AND FINALLY…

If you had “questions on all events of life” this advert would have caught your eye -

Professor Lodoski of Charles Street, Hatton Garden, London was quite happy to answer any questions on “love, absent friends, losses, prospectus of the future”.  He had 26 years working as astronomer at the Court of Persia and so he would of course be able to answer any questions you may have had. 

All he required was details of your age and sex and 30 postage stamps.  I wonder if any Chesterfield residents contacted the mysterious man.

 

UPDATE of the Past News 5th September 1857

Catch up on the full story of last weeks NEWS...........

*Tapton Colliery Excursion to Chatsworth –

Around 200 people attended this festivity.  They left Stonegravels and passed through Chesterfield
around 9am.  The procession was led by the Chesterfield and Scarsdale Brass Band and the revellers followed in a number of carriages festooned with flags.  Lunch was taken at Baslow and the party then continued through the gates into Chatsworth.  They were given special permission to inspect the house and gardens and afterwards spent time in the grounds.  They left for dinner at Baslow at 4pm and then on to Chesterfield, arriving back in Stonegravels around 10pm.  The day was described as “exceedingly fine and the whole of the party were highly delighted with the days enjoyment”

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*Jemima Wright –

 

Poor Jemima was labelled “weak-minded, if not insane” after further reports were heard at the inquest to her death.  The jury heard how she received every possible attention on the way to her sister at Staveley, but that Jemima had refused to give a name of the sister she wished to be delivered to and this had caused the delay.  A young man named Thomas Pearson of Matlock had accompanied Jemima on the journey.  The story of her death had apparently been reported abroad and the character of the landlord of the public house where Jemima had worked as cook had been put into question.  The landlord was Mr Brooker of the Hodgkinson’s Hotel, Matlock Bath. The Jury decided that Jemima had died of “inflammation”.  As for the insurance policy – it seems no such policy had ever existed!

 

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The Hardy’s –

the 1861 census shows William and Harriett Hardy living at “Gillotts Row”?? Sheffield Road.  William is a provisions dealer.  They have no children yet, but do seem to be doing well as they employ a house servant. 

By 1871 the couple have one daughter, 9 year old Ann Jane.  They now live at the public house on Sheffield Road called the Star Inn, next to Foundry Street.  William is also recorded as being a grocer as well as beer house keeper.  They still employ a domestic servant, 15 year old Sarah Ann Ellis and nephew 13 year old John Shentall. 

Sadly, 10 years on and Harriett is now a widow.  She lives with her daughter Ann at 10 Avenue Road and is described as “owner of property”.  Annie marries Thomas Margereson in 1882 and they have a son called Joseph William in 1883.  Harriett is living with her daughter and family in 1891 at Fairfield Road.  Her son-in-law Thomas is a post office clerk. 

1901 and Harriett is now 78 years old and still lives with her growing family at 14 Fairfield Road.  She now has two more grandchildren; Dorothy May aged 8 and Nora aged 5.  Thomas Margereson is now described as a post office clerk and builder and Joseph is employed as a bank clerk.  The family employ one servant 15 year old Annie Coot. 

The family are still together in 1911 – Harriett is now 88 years old.  They live at 13 Fairfield Road.  The census states that Annie and Thomas have actually had 5 children but only the three mentioned are still living.  Joseph is an accountant, Dorothy has no occupation and Nora is a dressmaker.  Harriett passed away in the winter of 1916, she was 93 years old.

Death of William Hardy –

 

William died on 17^th November 1878.  His will describes him as of the parish of Whittington and provision dealer and beer house keeper.  His will was for a personal estate of less than £3000 and was proved at Derby by his wife Harriett Hardy, Richard Bargh, blacksmith of Barlow and Charles Shentall, greengrocer and fruit merchant of Chesterfield on 17^th April 1879.



 



Echoes of our past News...... 5th September 1857

Echoes of our past….. Past News

5th September 1857

Main news -

The closure of Tapton Colliery.

A dinner was served in a marquee erected in the paddock of the Hare and Hounds public house at Stonegravels to celebrate the past success and closure of Tapton Colliery.  Around 150 people attended including several workmen who had been employed at the Colliery.  The Newbold Band entertained the diners until the late hour.

The colliery was owned by Mr Robert Stephenson at Lockoford at Tapton.  Its closure would be a great loss to the locals as it had employed around 300-400 men and boys.

An excursion was planned for the following Monday for the workmen and their friends to Chatsworth and a large attendance is expected.

OTHER ITEMS –

*Fatal accident –

an itinerant lady known simply as “Scottie” or Mary Scott was to meet a fateful end when on Thursday around 4 pm she fell into the river at Horse Croft.  She was seen earlier in a drunken state going along Lordsmill Street into Horse Croft.  A man saw her slip into the river and attempted to rescue her but alas it was too late.  “Scottie” was a traveller that had become a regular passer of Chesterfield.  No one really knew much about her other than she was from Scotland.  She had boarded the two previous nights at Mrs Dutton’s on Tapton Lane.

*Suspicious Death -

the death of Jemima Wright was the subject of the inquest held at the Devonshire Arms Inn, Staveley.  Jemima was 24 years old and had worked as a cook at Hodkinson’s Hotel, Matlock.  She had complained of her head when she took ill but instead of receiving medical attention was put in a cab with two men and taken to the Nag’s Head Inn.  This was around 3pm and by this time she as unconscious.  Jemima was taken to her sister’s home, Mrs Coupe in Staveley around 8pm.  The death took further interest when the mother of Jemima said that she had received a letter from her daughter stating that she had insured her life for £200.  Proof of this was still to be found, no insurance policy had been found.  The Jury decided that a post mortem would be required and the inquest adjourned until the next Monday.  Witnesses were also called to attend from Matlock.

*W Warner announced that he was to open a new fish shop in the new market hall.  He already had premises on Burlington Street and his new shop could be located opposite the Angel Inn in the New Square.  He told how he would receive a “daily supply of all kinds of fish in season, poultry and game”

 

*At auction by Mr Hatton –

For sale - Handsome mule, 4 years old.  Quiet to ride or drive.

To let – The Crown Inn on Lordsmill Street, Chesterfield was valued at over £60.

To Let – On Eyre Street.  The house had three bedrooms, a kitchen, parlour and cellar with garden.

MARRIAGES –

*Mr William Hardy married Miss Harriet Bargh, daughter of John Bargh.  William was from Newbold-Moor and Harriet was from Newbold.  The couple married on 30^th August.

*Lieutenant W K Bush RN married Emily Gossip at “Barlbro” on Thursday 27^th August.  Emily was the daughter of the late W Hatfield Gossip Esq. of Hatfield, Yorkshire.

*Mr Matthew Smith a book keeper of Whittington married Martha Walker at St Mary’s Church, Barnsley on 24^th August.

DEATHS –

*Joseph Pinder passed away after a short illness.  Joseph was 38 years old and the eldest son of the late Mr Pinder. 

*On 13^th August, Mrs Elizabeth Fenton aged 79 of Bakewell.  Wife of Mr John Fenton a watchmaker.

*Mr Francis Anthony Bateman Esq. died at Teignmouth from sunstroke whilst bathing.  He passed away on Saturday 22^nd August.  Francis was the fourth son of R T Bateman Esq., of Hartington Hall, Chesterfield and Hillgrove House, Somerset.

*5 month old son of Mr Savage of Bolsover.

*Noah Neal a labourer aged 31 years at Newbold.

SPORT –

*Cricket – a match was played by the Tailors against the Painters at the Albion Ground on Wheeldon Lane.  The Painters won with six wickets to go down.

AND FINALLY…

“Large egg”

Mr Samuel Heath of Brampton, Eastmoor was pleased with himself and his hen as on Friday last the hen laid one huge egg! The egg was weighed at 33/4 ounces, measured 63/8 inches around the middle and 77/8 in length.  There is no mention of the eggs fate- was it eaten or hatched? We will never know!!