CHAPTER 1

FIRST PERIOD, 1800 TO 1825.

At the commencement of the Present century, Mosbro’ did not contain one fourth the population it does at the present time. There was neither Church nor Chapel. The only Public building was a very small schoolhouse. On Mosbro’ Green, that triangular plot bounded by High Street, part of Queen Street and Little hill, there were but very few houses, I believe only three, and these had but recently been built. (A few years previously this land was covered with whins, on which the women living around hung their clothes to dry. On the top side of it was the bull stake, where, up to the latter part of last century, bulls and bears were bated. Thomas Bolsover, who lived at an old house where Mr. Howe’s big house now stands at the bottom of the Bridle Road, leading to high Lane, kept a bull and a bear for that purpose. At that same the George Bolsover had a cock-pit at a public house on the top side of the Green, where William Turner now lives. Sir Sitwell Sitwell, of Renishaw hall, a magistrate, ordered him to do away with it. He refused to comply with that order and In consequence lost his beer license.) On the East side of Colin Green now called Queen Street, there was not a house, and but very few on the other side. There was a narrow track for carts up the centre, and on either side grew grass, which was grazed by cattle, and a hedge-row. In what is now called Market Street, the only building was a barn and stable which is now turned into houses. The part of Mosbro’ which has undergone the least change is West Mosbro.’ The principal houses at that the were Mosbro’ hall, the residence of Samuel Staniforth, Esq. ; the residence of Captain Eyre, at the top of what is now called Captain’s Croft; John Ellis’ residence at the top of Mosbro’ Moor; the big house recently turned into two cottages at the French Nook, belonging to John French; the residence of Madame Neville, in West Mosbro’ ; and Plumbley Hall, where Mr. Pedley lived.

The public houses were four in number; viz the George and Dragon, the Duke William, the Nag’s Head—generally called the Half-way house— and the Fitzwilliam Arms. All the houses were built of stone, and had roof s either of thatch, stone slates, or tiles.

The old School-house was founded about the year 1680, when Charles 11 was king. For this, the memory of one of the village forefathers, Joseph Stones, should be held in thankful remembrance. He left a house and lands for that purpose, on condition that fifteen poor children belonging Mosbro’ should always receive instruction free of charge. It stood on the right hand side as you go down Nether Misterton. The schoolmaster’s house and schoolhouse, were under one roof. George Thompson was the schoolmaster, when this century commenced, and he held the office many years. He had school affairs under his own control, nobody ever interfering with him. He farmed the land belonging to the school himself, and lived on his own property at the top of Knowl Hill, where he had farm buildings. The village sycamore tree we all prize so much stands on what was his property. The schoolmasters house he let. He died August 21st, 1816, in his 67th year. George Thompson, son of the above, was the next schoolmaster. This man tried to claim the school and lands, because his father had had undisturbed possession for a certain number of years. Thomas Hutton, Sickle Manufacturer, and other parishioners, began to bestir themselves in the matter; and the result was a chancery suit, in which Lord Eldon, the Lord high Chancellor, decided the case against Thompson. This trial cost the village £156 8s. 6d. The next schoolmaster was Richard Marsh, a big, fine looking man. He ran into debt for which he was imprisoned. Being a high-minded man, he felt it to be such a disgrace to have to go to prison, that, it is said, he was found to have poisoned himself on the first morning of his incarceration. This happened about the year 1822. At this the the schoolhouse was in such a delapidated condition, that a new one was built a little higher up the road on the opposite side. The Rev. Frederick Ricketts, Rector of Eckington, who had succeeded tile Rev. Christopher Alderson, was one of the chief men concerned in its erection. It cost £111, and £20 more was spent in repairing the schoolmaster’s house, and adding thereto the old schoolroom.

Mosbro’ Hall, an ancient looking mansion with terrace roofs, did not show itself to so much advantage as it does at the present the, for then the turnpike ran close by the west front, from which it was separated by a high wall. Sometime previous to the making of the turnpike, it is most probable there was a much larger park attached to it, which extended to what was then the highway in West Mosbro’ and that the entrance was near the Summer house, which would then be the lodge, for the hall and Summer house are built in exactly the same peculiar style. Samuel Staniforth, the owner, was the proprietor of a coal pit worked by a gin, near the top of Mosbro’ Common, just below the cottages belonging to Henry Staniforth, Esq. Here he built a soft coke oven, and burnt coke for sicklesmiths and Sheffield manufacturers. No large coke was then burnt in the township. He sank, what is now called the old engine pit, on the Little Hill, hut could not work it owing to the large quantity of water. He also busied himself in parish affairs. He died in 1812, and was buried in Eckington Churchyard in front of the chancel. He left the hall to Mrs. Poynton his sister, who let it to John Smith, Esq.

Captain Eyre’s residence had a fine view of the valley of the Moss, as well as of miles of country beyond. Near his house were placed two cannon, which were afterwards removed to the house of Mr. Bowden, Southgate, Barlbro’, who was one of the captain’s executors, the other executor being Mr Pedley of Plumbley Hall.

If tradition is to be relied on in this case, near this house Oliver Cromwell placed his cannon with which he destroyed Eckington Castle, which stood on Parrow Bank.

Captain Eyre was a tall, well built man, and a great pedestrian. During his residence in Mosbro’ he was on half pay. The money was paid to him at Manchester, which journey he accomplished on foot in twelve hours each way. He was afterwards sent by government to the Bermudas, in the West Indies, where he and his family died of yellow fever, in a house which he had built of cedar wood. Many years afterwards some maiden ladies came from Ireland to claim his Mosbro’ property, but without success.

Madame Neville’s house now belongs to Mrs. Mullins. After the former lady, Mr. Gray became the owner. He repaired the house. The masons he employed were Joshua and Edward Littlewood, of Dent Lane, who had both the reputation of being good masons and good scholars. It is said that in repairing the house, the Littlewoods found a sum of money in coin built up in a wall, which they kept. What the amount was they kept secret to themselves, but it is supposed it was a large sum. Shortly afterwards, it is said, they lent a lawyer named Greaves, of Sheffield, £1,000 which they never got back again. Mr. Gray left the property to his daughter, Mrs. Mullins, widow of William Mullins, who had died March 9th, 1820, aged 39 years.

Plumbley hall was purchased by Mr. Pedley, off Captain Stones, of Mosbro’ Hall, in the latter part of last century. Pedley, who was a bachelor, was very rich. It is said he had a peck full of guineas. He built the property on the green front now occupied by Mr. Clayton, tonic beer manufacturer, and Mr. George Plant, Brown Cow Inn, at the commencement of the century. He left a good deal of his Property to John Harwood, who is said to have been for some the a Wesleyan Minister, but he does not seem to have been a man of much calibre.

John French’s house was built by the Littlewoods. John was a rough character, fond of badger drawing. Either he or William Tickhill kept a badger. He was a school trustee.

Public Houses. No liquors were sold at any of the public houses during the greater part of this period. None were to be got nearer than the White Hart Inn, Eckington, which was kept by Job Allen. Every publican brewed his own beer.

By the way, Job Allen, was succeeded by his brother George, at the White hart. The corpse of George’s daughter, Ann, was stolen out of Eckington church yard by bodysnatchers

The St. George and Dragon was kept by John Bolsover, afterwards by John Parr. The latter planted the orchard lately stubbed to make room for the new church.

The Duke William on the top of Primrose Hill, was kept by George Bolsovcr, the owner.

The Fitzwilliam Arms, by Thomas Staniforth. His wile was a big, stout Irishwoman.

The Nag’s head, or half-way house, by Thomas Wolstenholme, the owner. He also owned Knowl Hill Mill. He was a millwright by trade. He helped at the restoration of Park Mill, Eckington, in 1826.

Several good houses were built towards the end of this period.

In 1819, William Lockwood built the house now occupied by his son Joseph. This house has been enlarged.

The Crown Inn was built by Thomas Lee, who left the St. George and Dragon to reside in it.

Robert Fields built the house now called Sydney Tavern for his residence. Robert was a sicklesmith by trade. He was an exciseman at Liverpool for some the. He bought property on each side of Colin Green, and near the Hanging Lea Wood ; he also built the row of houses near the post office, now called Smuggler’s Row. John Cowley, sickle manufacturer, built the house now called the British Oak as a private house, Thomas White of Eckington, was the contractor. The carved work on the front door stone jambs cost £7. John Smith, Esq., left Mosbro’ Hall to reside in it. It is said that Fields and Cowley strived which could build the best house. Cowley afterwards sold his big house and bought the Stirrup Fields at Half-way house. He also possessed a field and house on the opposite side of the road to the British Oak, and built another house thereon. He also owned Bowlhill fields, Owlthorpe.

Elijah Naboth Staniforth, Esq., built Mosbro’ Hall house, and the big house in the valley below sometimes called Mushroom Hall.

Jonathan Oates built the house down Knowl Hill now occupied by Charles Poole, carrier, where he carried on business as a malster. A row of houses called Malthouse Row stand on the site of the malthouse.

‘Thomas Hutton built Kelgate house, on the east side of Market Street. It has since been made into two houses, which now belong Mrs. Whawell.

‘There were scarcely any colliers in Mosbro’ during this period. Most of the working men were sicklesmiths, scythesmiths, and grinders. The chief sickle manufacturers were, John Cowley, who lived where Mr George Frost now lives, and had his workshops close by. Thomas, George, and Gilbert Hutton, partners, whose shops were at the bottom of Primrose Hill, a little higher up than John Cowley’s.

Nathan Staton, on the low side of the green. he ground his sickles at Carlton Wheel.

William Turner, at Plumbley, where Mrs. Skelton now lives, He was also a farmer.

Samuel Fox, scythes also. He lived on what is now Mrs. Best’s property in West Mosbro’. The end of the house he lived in comes up to the road. He had his workshops in a row down the front of the house. Before these workshops were for the sickle trade they had been used as a soap and chandling factory by a man named Creswick, but this was in the last century. Fox had a scythe shop on the opposite side of the road to the St. George and Dragon.

.John Keeton, on the Green front. His workshop and house adjoined. Mr Clayton, tonic beer manufacturer, lives on the premises now. John served his apprenticeship under William Turner, of Plumbley. He was an industrious man, and rose from the lowest station to be a village "worthy.’’

WILLIAM HUTTON, top end of West Mosbro,.

GEORGE TURNER, West Mosbro’. Front shops now turned into houses, opposite Mrs. Best’s row of houses.

FARMERS. WILLIAM GALLEY, lived at the top end of West Mosbro’ where Mr. Blesset now lives.

William HOBSON, opposite Mrs. Mullins garden wall, West Mosbro’. The big barn which adjoined his house is now turned into two house.

WILLIAM MULLINS, Westwell Farm, belonging Sitwell.

Stephen Fox, Westwell Farm, belonging Fitzwilliam.

GEORGE STORY, Front Street, where Thos.Wale lives.

Other men of note besides those I have already mentioned were:—

JOHN WATKINSON a sicklesmith by trade, who lived in the top old house up what is now called Webster’s yard, Queen Street. He built the first house on the east side of Colin Green. It now belongs to Joseph Turner, Grocer. This was the first house in Mosbro’ with a blue slated roof. When the slates were brought Watkinson put them in his cella, lest children should steal them for school slates. The slaters fastened them on the house like stone slates, that is, with a peg driven through at half the distance across the top side the consequence was that when a gale of wind came they flapped up and down, so they had to be taken off and fastened on in the right way.

JAMES PEAT, tailor and cow doctor. He built the two houses and shop, now belonging to his daughter, Mrs. Rivington, singly, at three different times, from1820 to 1824. They are on the Green front.

WILLIAM ROSE, joiner and wheelwright. He lived in the house at the top of the yard opposite the Piece Stile. His workshop is now turned into a house, and is occupied by Robert Newton. He died August 21st, 1815. He was the father of a large family, several of whom are still living in Mosbro’ and neighbourhood.

STEPHEN WEBSTER, shoemaker, Colin Green. For some time he was a ringer at Eckington church. He died January 12th, 1829, aged 70 years.

JOHN BACON, shoemaker, West Mosbro’.

BILLY HERRING, tailor, at the bottom of the yard, opposite new reading room.

SAMUEL REDFERN, saddler, next door to Billy Herring.

ABRAHAM FRENCH, joiner, Colin Green, Died in 1850, aged 92 years.

In the year 1815, there was a great peace rejoicing, after the battle of Waterloo, on which occasion a public dinner was given in a field opposite the Duke William Inn, and an effigy of Napoleon Bonaparte placed in a large sycamore tree on the top of the hill. A man named Luke Staniforth broke his walking stick in thrashing the effigy. What became of it at the finish I have not been able to learn. Most probably it was consigned to the flames.

At that time there were four large sycamore trees in a row on that part of the hill. They were felled by order of Josiah Fairbanks, surveyor, Sheffield, who collected the " crown " rents of the parish.

The Wesleyan and Primitive Methodists missioned the village during this period. The Weslyans held their meetings in the house of John Bacon, in Bedlam Square ; the Primitives in any house that would give them shelter.

After the death of Samuel Staniforth, Esq., there were no coal pits in Mosbro’ for several years. Coal was fetched either form Birley Moor on the top end of Eckington; a good deal being carried in panniers across donkeys backs. Donkeys were also used to carry sickles, which were placed in pack saddles, to the grinding wheels. This method of carrying sickles continued in vogue till about the year 1860.

About the end of this period stocks were placed on Primrose Hill, opposite where the Blue Bell now stands, but where two thatched cottages then stood. They were never used except on one occasion when a man was placed in them for getting drunk. He had been to a christening at Eckington church that day.

The wages of a good mason were half a guinea per week.

George Wells, of Eckington, worked a pit for a few years at the end of this period on James French's Land behind Billy Herring’s house.

During this period it was common for People of the village to say to anyone who acted foolishly, "thou art as soft as Nicker Bore was".

It may be interesting to know how this saying originated, so I will relate it. During the latter end of last century Captain Stones, the owner and occupier of Mosbro’ Hall, kept a servant of deficient intellect named Nicker Bore, or perhaps more correctly Nicholas Bore, as a jester, of whom several anecdotes are related, it is said that on one occasion the Captain said to him " Nicker, I am going to have company at the hall to-day, and amongst them will be a gentleman with a very big nose. Now you must be very careful not to make any remark about his nose or he will be greatly offended.’’ " Yes sir aw,ll be careful’’

When the company were assembled, Nicker, going into the room, saw the gentleman with the big nose, and immediately remarked " Oh, what a big nose; but there’s no staying nowt."

On another occasion when the Captain was just about setting off to Castleton where he often visited, he said to Nicker :—‘‘ Nicker, you’ve easy times of it when I,m at Castleton.’’ " Yes,’’ said Nicker, " and so has Jack ; ‘‘ meaning the spit by which the meat was cooked.

Once, Nicker being ordered to sweep the stairs, began with the bottom step and went upwards

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