Update of the past NEWS....... 11th May 1861...........

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

*William E Hull –

William was the hero in last week’s NEWS after he selflessly lost his own life whilst trying to save that of another.

William was born around 1838 at Leicestershire.  Only weeks earlier he was recorded on the 1861 census; he was lodging with Charles and Elizabeth Porter in Derby.  He was described as single, aged 23 years old and working as a railway porter.

William was the son of his namesake; William Eaglefield Hull and Ann Hull.  He was born at Market Harborough the son of a labourer.  Aged 13 years old William was working as an errand boy, the railways must have been a fantastic sight for a lad of his age.  The London and North West Railway opened a line in between Northamptonshire and Market Harborough on 16^th February 1859.  William would have been right in the middle of all the excitement and of course some opposition to the railway being built.  He probably thought himself a very lucky lad when he was given a job by the railways. 

William was returned to his home town of Market Harborough by train journey and he was buried at St Mary’s Church graveyard.

For more information on the LNWR line click this link

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*Two men killed at West Staveley Colliery –

The men killed at Staveley colliery were David Bann (not Band as incorrectly documented in the local newspaper) and Charles Day (not Mr Key as again incorrectly recorded in the local newspaper). 

The actual site of the incident was Stanhope Pit which belonged to the West Staveley Coal Company.  David Bann was aged 30 years old and employed as deputy viewer.  Charles Day was aged 40 years old and worked as a horse keeper.

David Bann was born in Worth, Cheshire.  He was married to Sarah Ann and they did have 4 children; Mary Emma aged 9 years, William Henry aged 7 years, Elizabeth aged 5 years and Leah aged just 1 year.  The family lived on South Street in New Whittington.

Charles Day was born in Wartham, Suffolk.  He was widowed at the time of his death and left two children; a son Thomas aged 16 years old and a daughter Emma aged 11 years old.  The family lived at West Street in New Whittington on the 1861 census but were documented as living at Peaches Row at the time of the incident.  Thomas Day, the son of Charles was called to the inquest and he told how he worked alongside his father as an assistant horse keeper. He and his father had been down the pit at 5am on the Sunday morning to look after the horses. 

At the end of the inquest the jury returned a verdict of “accidental death” but the words which followed were rather harsh “the opinion being that the unfortunate deceased were themselves only to blame”.

 

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Echoes of our past NEWS ........ 11th May 1861

 

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

What was in the local news this weekend in 1861?

MAIN NEWS –

*Courageous death –

William E Hull a porter at the Midland Railway Station at Derby was being hailed a hero after an incident in which William lost his life whilst trying to save that of another.

On Friday 3^rd May a passenger named George Walker of Wooton near Ashbourne foolishly ran and jumped onto the step of one of the carriages of the 7.50pm North Staffordshire train.  The train was in motion at the time and had just commenced leaving the station. 

George had run to the step and attempted to open one of the doors to gain access to the train, but the doors were locked as the previous passenger’s had use the adjacent doors to alight from the train. 

Because William was familiar with this system and had seen George’s actions he knew that it would be impossible to gain entry and thus realised that George was in danger.  William immediately got hold of George and tried to pull him back to safety on the platform.

Tragically for William he lost his footing and fell onto the tracks, six of the carriages ran over his body.  The passengers were said to have been “horror struck at what they had witnessed and screamed loudly”.

An inquest was held and a verdict of accidental death was recorded.  William was described as a “steady man” and had worked for Midland Trains for two years.

George Walker was severely reprimanded for his actions which had been the trigger for this sad event.  He was summoned to appear before the County Magistrates for having infringed “one of the company’s bye-laws”

OTHER ITEMS –

*Incident at West Staveley Colliery –

Two men named David Band and Mr Key were killed as they carried out repairs to the maintenance system at the colliery.  They had nearly completed the work and only had one more part to attend. 

David Band left a wife and four children, Mr Key a wife and two children.

The men were interred on Wednesday 8^th May and a great attendance was noted; both masters and workmen stood side by side to remember the men who were “greatly respected”.

The inquest into the deaths was held at the Wellington Hotel, Staveley and a verdict of accidental death was reached.

*Accidental poisoning at Buxton –

The Kings Head Hotel at Buxton run by Mr Richard Stubbs was at the centre of controversy after Mr Higginbottom of Whaley Bridge and some other friends of his called on the public house.

Mr Higginbottom asked for a bottle of brandy and a bottle of soda water.  After drinking the liquids he became very sick and was vomiting.  Some of the other men with him also experienced the same affects after partaking in the beverages.

The surgeon Mr Flint was called for and he gave the men some medicine to prevent them for being sick further.  The liquids were taken for analysis and the soda water was found to contain “a quantity of corrosive sublimate”. 

It was thought that the bottle had been used to store other liquids before the soda water was poured into it.  The previous liquid was said to have caused the poisoning.

All of the men were fit and well after their symptoms had passed.

*Chesterfield May Fair –

This year’s fair was a success even though the weather was not kind; rain and hail and “a keen driving wind” had put a dampener on the occasion but luckily at lunch time it settled.

The town was full of people all out to have a good day; entertainment was the order of the day.  The market was full of cattle, horses, sheep and pigs were all being shown in their pens but sales were not that good this year. 

MARRIAGES –

*Mr Sampson Oakes to Ann Hodkin at Chesterfield Parish Church on Monday 6^th May

DEATHS –

*Militia man funeral –

The funeral of militia man Henry Pearce took place last Saturday 4^th May at the town cemetery.  He had died the day earlier.

There was a large attendance and Henry was laid to rest after his coffin had been carried by his fellow militia men to the sound of the band playing “Dead March in Saul”.  Prayers were said afterwards and to commemorate Henry’s militia service three volleys of the guns were sounded over the grave.

*John Turner of Canal Wharf aged 33 years

*George Holmes at Chesterfield aged 63 years

SPORT –

*Cricket –

Two schools were head to head this week in a game of cricket; St Marys School against Mr Bowker’s School.  The game was played at the grounds of St Mary’s School who benefited from the familiar territory to win the match.

AND FINALLY…

*”Extraordinary lamb hog” –

We have read in previous NEWS of spectacular animals being shown off to the locals of
Chesterfield in the shop windows of salesmen.  This week was Mr Robert Kirk’s chance; he was to exhibit a lamb hog which weighed in at 130lbs.  The hog was only 13 months old and had been bred and fed by a local man named Mr Matthew Scorer of Scarcliff.

 

UPDATE of the Past News 14th September 1861

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

*Francis Shacklock –

Had appeared at the County Petty Sessions on Saturday March 5^th 1859.  He was charged with keeping the beer house open at illegal hours on 20^th February that year.  Francis ran a beer house at Stanfree and at “at ten minutes past twelve, by Staveley time” on the said night Sergeant Wagstaffe and PC Joseph Higgins of Bolsover had found two local men; Dobbs and Dennis Mullins in the house, one of the men held a quart pot containing ale.  The defence argued that it was not after time, but Dennis Mullins was called and stated that it was 12.30 when he called at the beer house.  Francis Shacklock was fined 10s and 11s costs, but as he could not afford to pay this he was given 2 weeks to pay or a distress warrant would be issued against his property.

In September 1870 Francis is again applying for a license to trade at the Royal Oak at Stanfree, the license was opposed by Mr Eyre of the Apple Tree Inn, who had also applied for a license.  Both applications were refused, but the reason is not stated.

 

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*Joseph Scott and Nathan Moore –

 

Joseph Scott appeared at the Derbyshire Assize Courts on 16^th October 1861. He pleaded guilty to stealing £1 5s, a watch and a pair of trousers from Nathan Moore.  Joseph was 20 years old and worked as a cutler.  He was sentenced to 3 months imprisonment with hard labour. 

As for the story of Nathan wanting to murder his wife, well this may have been true as the week earlier Nathan appeared on Monday 2^nd September at the Borough Police sessions, charged with using threatening language to his wife Middy Moore.  He was a beerhouse keeper and was fined £20 to keep the peace for 3 months.

The Sheffield Independent Newspaper (19^th October) adds more to the story, stating that after Nathan had quarrelled with his wife he had left the public house “in charge” of Joseph Scott, where during his absence Joseph helped himself and walked to Sheffield.  As he arrived in Sheffield he was “accosted” by a policeman as he looked suspicious.  The possessions were found to be the property of Nathan Moore.

 

Echoes of our past News...... 14th September 1861

 

Echoes of our past….. Past News

14th September 1861

Main news -

*Brewster Sessions –

These were annual meetings to grant licences to trade alcohol in public houses. 

Transfer of licences to the following establishments were made –

*Royal Oak, Shambles – from James Walker to John Knight

*Crown and Cushion, Low Pavement –from George Hearnshaw to James Walker

*Market Hall Vaults – from Mrs Pearce to Henry Chantry

*Kings Head, Knifesmithgate – from Henry Chantry to Jos. Spray

Other licenses granted were –

*Bay Horse, Chesterfield to Mr Newton

*St Helen’s Inn to Mr Samuel Bennett (on the grounds that there was “no licensed house for a great distance and that the premises were commodious”)

*Hat and Feathers, Brampton to Mr Maynard, despite their being an incident during the year for selling drink at “improper hours”.  It had been the servant that had served the liquor in Mr Maynard’s absence and so the licence was granted this time, but more care should be taken over the actions of his servants.

*Burlington Arms, Staveley/Woodthorpe to Henry Bingham.  These premises had been built to replace the previous house run by Henry Bingham.

*Sir Colin Campbell, near the race course to Mr Woodward.

Licences refused –

*Three Horseshoes, Brimington. 

Mr Hesling was refused a license as he had been fined £3 earlier in the year for opening on a Sunday.  The County Magistrates stated that they were “determined to put a stop to these sorts of disorderly houses”.  Mr Hesling replied that it was the Church Wardens who had been drinking.  He was told that “he had no right to fill Church Wardens drink no more than anybody else”.

*Royal Oak, Stanfree.

The licence had been taken away from the landlord an elderly man named Francis Shacklock two years ago after he was found by the local policeman to be serving several persons of “suspicious character”.  Mr Shacklock had thought they were travellers and only served them small amounts but this had not appeased the Magistrates and the license had been revoked.  At that time Mr Shacklock had begged the court to grant his licence as it was the only way he could gain a livelihood.  Again, the court were still not prepared to grant a licence and poor old Mr Shacklock left saying it was “ a very hard case”.

*Forester’s Arms, Staveley.
Refused as the application had not been fully completed, notices had not been served to the overseers.  Landlord Mr Thomas Dyson.

*Angel Inn, Staveley.

Was refused as the application was argued by a Mr Gainsford.  He stated that there were already licensed houses close to the property of Mr Abbott and that there was insufficient room to accommodate carts etc, without obstructing the highway.   Landlord Mr Wm Abbott.

*The Gate, Marsden Moor.

The landlord John Belfitt had been summoned for keeping a disorderly house.  He had given to drink to already intoxicated persons.  The court stated that publicans should not encourage a person who was drunk into their houses.  John Belfitt was fined £1 16s and costs.

OTHER ITEMS –

* Sarah Fretwell a prostitute was charged by Police Sergeant Vincent for causing a disturbance in the Shambles at about 10.54pm.  She was committed for one calendar month under the Vagrant Act.

*Rebecca Davenport of St Helens Street charged her husband Chas Davenport with assault.  Chas a sawyer was bound by £20 to keep the peace for two calendar months.

*Martin Burke was charged for stealing turnips from Mrs Hinde’s field at Walton.  He was committed to Derby Gaol for 7 days hard labour.

*Joseph Scott appeared at the Town Hall, Sheffield charged with stealing a watch and wearing apparel from a man named Moore.  The pair had resided in Chesterfield.  Moore had travelled to Sheffield to report the incident. Joseph Scott had in his defence stated that Moore had given him the things to look after as he had intended to murder his wife and would want them afterwards.  Joseph had been unsure at this as he thought he may get into trouble for holding the possessions.  So, Moore had allegedly given Joseph a written receipt for the goods.  The receipt was proved but it was unclear who had actually written it.  The case was remanded to Chesterfield.

*Accidental drowning – an inquest was held at the St Helen’s Inn, Stonegravels on the body of 15 year old Joseph Hardwick, son of Chas Hardwick.  Joseph was bathing in the river at the wharf when he was said to have ventured out of his depth and drowned.  A man who was working close by ran to his help, but he was dead when his body was removed from the water.  Verdict “accidental death”.

* “Roughs” from Staveley Collieries arrived at Bolsover and caused disturbances.  They were fighting amongst themselves and “some of similar fraternity” of Bolsover.  They robbed Mr Gethins orchard of apples. 

MARRIAGES –

*Francis Fisher to Hannah Bond, both of Chesterfield at the Parish Church.

*John Smith to Miss Brailsford at Barlboro’.

DEATHS –

*Thomas Heathcote, currier, 70 years old.

*Barbara wife of John Cutts aged 32 years at Calow.

*Martha relict of Mr Joseph Riley in Kent Road, late of Staveley aged 83 years old.

*Joshua Tomlinson aged 76 at Ashover.

*Mr James Brampton of Edensor.

SPORT –

 

The Derby Races were held on Thursday 12^th September.  The results were as follows –
*Chatsworth Stake – 1^st zodiac, 2^nd Caller Qui, 3^rd Sawcutter
*The nursery handicap – 1^st C by Grasshopper, 2^nd Old Towler, 3^rd Rossmoor, 4^th Forester
*The tradesman plate – 1^st Coronet, 2^nd Jingling Johnny, 3^rd Zodiac
*The innkeepr’s plate – 1^st Sawcutter, 2^nd Roesia, 3^rd Maid of Chesterfield.

 AND FINALLY…

Bolsover, the harvest was reported as being nearly completed.  The crops being of “average quantity” and “excellent quality”.  The weather was reported as being “beautiful and fine”.  The drought of the past weeks had caused some issues with the turnip crops but the potatoes although small were “of excellent quality and very few diseased”.