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THE ROUGH TRANSCRIPT BELOW IS INCLUDED ONLY FOR INDEXING.
FOREWORD..
i
Our country villages. more especially those contiguous to cities and towns. are gradually being bereft of their rural character by the encroachment of these urban authorities. The once quiet rural village is now a stage on an
officially scheduled omnibus route: and for seven days of the week. The swift rush of these urban amenities threatens to submerge all that is attractive and Peculiar to village life.
Certain features of our national character or reputation tire, in part at any rate, the summation of the individual chardclerlitics of our thousand villages. cach with their particular industrial or historical records reaching back for centuries. K
The Derbyshire village o ' f Ridgeway situate about half way between Sheffield and Cheiterficid is a lair illustration.
For tour centuries. the village and district round about. has been a centre for the manufacture (in the literal meaning of the "rd) of sickles. hooks and scythes. For so long in fact as the processes were hand made by skilled craftsmen. These craftsmen and thi's skill have now been lost or brushed aside by mechanisation. within
the lifetime of some still living. The loss is deplorable..
but
r.hal is the alternative?
In the compilation of these notes the writer is indebted to Miss Hution and Mrs. AI. C. Hution, 1,p.. of The
Newlands, Ridgew0Y. for a wealth of informaiton assembled by the late Mr. John fermyn Hullon and made available to the
writer. The following Pages will reveal what a long and beneficent part the Hullon family has played in the lift of the
village and its local industry.
Ridgeway.
WJ.
April. 1950.
RIDGEWAY.
How often have 1 pawed on every charm
71e sheltered cot. the cultivated lam.
71e never-li:ilini brook. the busy mill.
That decent church that topt the neighbouring
hill."
The derivation of the name "Bidgeway" is fairly
obvious to anyonewbo lies stood on Phoenix Eilland noted
how, on. either 134and. the road keeps to the Ridge from
Quarry Mill almost to Gleadleas. It is in contradistinction
to the Moor-Way, the rnalib county road on which the
stage
coach from 1Bheffield to Londo~ to run. Incidentally,
it w&y here be remarked that the summit of Quarry Hill
is on the Mfeet contour and that up to this point is the
highest from the North Sea. If this should be doubted,
let the person meat a keen north~r at this spot come
early morning in January-they will find the experience
wonderfully convincing.
Possibly the Brat recorded official mention of the
village
---aowirdins to one authority-is to he found in connection
xvith a Suit at Derby Assize& in 1801. According to the
Same Intithority it %vac in' mid-Msy, 1299, that Waiter do
Boys, futher ~f Simon Sitewel, of "RegBweye," first rat
out. on his pilgrimage, from which he ne'er returned.
Hence
the Suit at Derby which concerned the title to " one
niessuage and twenty acres of land at Barleburgh." Fairly
conclusive evidence that the village ran lay claim to come
MO irears of existence. It is, probable that oat this time
the village would lay within the bounds of Sherwood
Forest,
wliloh is said to have extended still further north to Rather
sage and the Peak Forest.
Situate on one of the spurs of the Pennines`it would
f linve a plentiful supply of water from the numerous
streanic
-Which could he subsequently dariiined for water power.
By slot. development through the centuries came industry
follon.ing on the heels of agriculture, in the form of lmnd.
forged sickles, hooks and scythes-the tools of unmech
anised agriculture. Due, in the first place probably, to its
proximity ito Shaffiela. But hardly less so to natural
facilities for water and waterpower and the necessary fuel.
First place must be conceded to Troway, however.
whilst
Mos ro' runs Ridgeway close for the second place. For
centuries, however, Ridgeway has been a centre for these
tools, until to-day, when they are sen-tto more than a score
1
of ditterent countries and to each continent. If only the Damt-the Skelperl Birlev Boy and Ford Dam. together with the
Never k'earliad7 a volos, what a tele they.could unfold ! In those early days the traU was carried i by "little
meatera"-a master and a journeyman andr:r an Upprentice: perhaps two and sometimes three altogether, and each had a
distinct trade mark.
Before coke became ovailable-prior to the use of gas ---~1 had to be blown in the very early inorning sufficient
for the day.'f, demands. An oft-told tale. is of one "metter" returning home from one of the Ford workshops at 4 o'clock
in the morning, wying that his mate hadn't turned up and he wasn't going to start work "at that time of the'day."
The v!Ugo at the early period was a fine example of a &elfconta',Ined community. It boasted neitlier church nor
chapel. It had five innA or taverns, c score or more of farms (tba farms were much smaller units than to-day), twent or
inore sicklearniths, n blacksmith, a wheelwright, f - oemakers, three tailors. a butcher, two stone-masons, a -weaver
and a carpenter, who (most probably) rounded-off this little community by performing the duty ~f undertaker. More or
less remoic from the town's attractions, these artisans 'bed to Improvise their own entertainments. LS later 3cars
there, were Penny Concerts and Spelling Bees in the Nottional School and a Mechanic's Institute, with a well-stocked
library in the Methodist Schoolroom. Open. t,g,ames, 1,00, bad i wholesome rural flavour about themJolly Miller and
Choose Your Partner have been forgotten, together with tlicir amorous words and g~rei.
Let it not he supposed, however. that these artisans were simple-minded rustics. On the contrary, they had a
ready wit and unlimited fund of dry humour-most of it repeatable 1 They did not possess the knowledge that our
eou~histic.ated generation can boast, but they possessed both a 11 and wisdom, and wisdom, we are told, is the principal
Wag.
Of the Tour sickle firma operating within the memory sople still living-liestra. Eutton & Go. (trade mark
William Fox L. Sons (L0), John Haslam (RK). and bover (IB), only the first-mentioned is still in exist~ The others hare
either been. absorbed by other firms faded out.
pare ago a weekly ~Ze of £2 was considered indeed, only reached occasionally. Whilst the
2
work was heavier and the hours longer,.ea was also the week. In these respects, conditions tave improved very
considerably. The writer can recall that as a led of 9 or 10 years of age he was called upon to assist his father at 7
o'clock in the morning until near school time. Yet he never missed an hour's schooling. After all, formers' sons have to
do that, even to-day, and one cannot see that they suffer in consequetich.
Residing in the village at the present day are more
then a scors of families whose forbears were here a century
or more ago. At Troway, amongst the oldest families are
the BothsrBame and th6 Staniforths, who were there before
1787. It would be invidious to tri ' ention the Ridg!way
families, ai tome of their forefathem were not in business
on their own "count and would probably escape mention.
But ons must mention at this point, that up to a year or
two ago the Rippon family had tenanted one particular
house for more then a hundred years, andhadbeen supplied
with milk throughout this period by the Marsh family who.
themselves, had occupied an adjoining farm for a oorres.
ponding period-and happily still do. This cams Rippon
family has an unbroken record of service with the Hutton
firm exjpndinr to 188 years---and, fortunately, has yet to
be detaWnined. This service commenced in 1780, which
indicates their antiquity and their personal qualities, too.
Despite our 650 years 9f existence. how often have Ridgeway people met with bhis experience ?
Friend: "Where are you living now?"
Ridgewaylte: "At Ridgeway."
Friend: "Let.'% see, that is tear Handsworth?"
Ridgewayite: "No, that Is Richmond."
Friend: "Ah, yea. Of course, At*# on the way to Holmeafield?"
Ridge~vayite: "No, that's Bradway."
Friend: "Then where, the dickens is Ridgeway?"
The publication of the Owzibut Guide has now placed us on the map 1 1 Yet we atlU *a' 7, from time to time, the
privilege of being "diaiov=" h the more adven. turous pioneers from urban lim:~.WII~o suffer us for a while and then
"to-morrow to fresh woods and pastureb new.
3
RIDCEWAY AND ITS INDUSTRIES.
1.
Here is a list of S6ythe and Sickle Mantifecturers,
together with their trade marks in 1787. tome 28 yean
flefore the battla of Waterloo.
At Norton: Trade Mark
William Atkin A. Son Horse-shoe on its side.
Joseph Atkin R.A.E.E.
At Troway:
Stephen Fox, senr. FOX.
William Rotherbiam W.R.
Thomas Botberham T.R.
John Staniforth i.S. $
Stephen Fox, junr. L. 0 * in a square, with concave
lines.
1
At Ford:
Williern Mullins Thomns Slagg StAniforth & Booth
At Ridgeway:
John Booth Joseph Booth Robert Turner Godfrey Turner Joseph' Hutton
At High Lane:
Alark Havenhana Thomas Havenhand John Keston
At Ridgeway Moor:
William Webster
At Moorbole:
Luke Staniforth
At Hackenthorpe:
Thomas Staniforth
At Plwmbley:
nrilliarn Turner
I.11. (and a clay pipay.
B.Y.
I.O.B.E. (and R.S. in a heart).
R.W. in a square. W. in a heart. W. V.V. LIL in a square.
M.H. A crown over " 58. R.
The sun with a dot in the centre.
C over A.
I.S. in a equare.
I.I. in a square.
4
1n additAon, there, were four firms at Mosbro', including Goorge Rutton, whose mark wa& I.O.K.
All the above firms have now passed into oblivion
ex*apt those of Rutton and Staniforth. Awre wtlrrthe
mark BX come to the Hutton, firm from t 6 iage
of Thorn&% Hutton (son of Ezra and Mary Jermyn) and
Ann Slagg, Ide cousin.
The history of the firm of Hutton. & Co. has in recent years been investigated by Dr. W. Allan MePhee, M.A.,
B.Comm. (Bdin.), Ph.D. (London), extra-mural professor of Sheffield University, and wU1 follow on a later page.
The sickle. being a more or less primitive agricultural tool, dates back to the Egyptians, who made them in
bronze or Iron. Variants of these ware used by the Babylonians, Assyrians, lgebrewt, Greeks and Romans, the latter of
whom invented the two-handed acyths.
The late Robat Eadon Leader, one of Sheffield'a historians, states that in 1459, I.e., more than two centuries
earlier than the precedinq list, a John Parker of Norton, acythe.amith, beta a building on the Beaucl~ief Abbey Estate,
and that his con, Thomas Parker, had, by 1488, transferred the business to Boolesfield. Incidentally, the Sheffield
Corporation have reserved Tyzack's Water-wheel and Dam at Beauchief as a Museum, illustrating to later
I eneratfons how water-power was used in earlier days. Is t, not permissible to think this might be the building (or
allecestor of the building) referred to bbove ?
In 1587 the Duke of Alba (or Alva) was sent by the King of Spain to repress Protestantism in the Netherlands,
and It is recorded that there was an influx of refugees to this countrv and district, and a resulting impetus lpven to
the sickle 6ade. Even today the name Dutch or Hollanders is borne by a 6ertain type of sickle, book or hoe.
. Down to the year 1880 or even later, sickles in this village were entirely hana-maae. To-day they are almost
if not anti& machine-made. The craftsmen and the pro. cesses are fast dying out. Here is what the writer recollects
after about sixty years:
A short rectangular bar of (approx.) I-InCh iron ranging from (say) 8 to 18 inches long was welded to a length
of steel tome 8 inches shorter and of smaller dimen. slom. This was usually done in the early morning by the stoklumith
and his mate, the striker, and was termed
. A
---workingdouble.--- BY breakfast time sufficient of these
"moods" had been made to find work. 'for the maker-to smith--for the rest of the day. The "amithing" process in
included smooth' down irregularities. forming the correct
" p~
shape-to tt s.."rn e, turning the tang to n proper anqle, and for stamping on the trade mark and size . Each Maker had a
mark to identify his work. The first grinding process. termed "rcorchii)g." followed, for the purpose of grinding. off
rough places and presenting a smooth, bright under side and a semi-bright one on the upper side. Also to form a regular
line.of the cutting edge in order to facilitate the next proceslB-"tedding." Tedding was the piercing of the cutting
edge into a line of fine sharp teeth. It. ivas a thril. lin.. experience for a lad to hear the tat-tat-tat-tat of seven
or eig~ht tedders at work on their low stithies hammering away at 50 or 80 to the minute. The small chisel or punch
doing the piercing had a very sharp and highly tempered edge aslant. to correspond x~ith the tapered ~inde of the
sickle.
Tedding House. Phoenix Works.
6
After this. the sickle& were tanged and then hardened and back too the grinaing-wheel for a process called
..whittening" or whiteninj-7bus on a different kind of grindstone. At this stage tle sickle became a thing of "uty,
exhibiting but little evidence of its lowly origin.
After this. c=* the "Menffingig process over atill another type of wheel. The last procesa before bain sett On
to the warehouse was the putting-on of the handles. Then a coat of varnish and a wrapping of paper. Bundle& of six or a
dozen were then bound together with a wrappin of straw rope. Then to the tin-lined box or case, a fina inscription
indicating source of origin and their destination --;.and these village.made products were ready for shipment.
To-day, it is very n~arly ~bye to All That, for the processing has simplified the work almost beyond belief. So
much so, that it is possible more sickles, etc., are being despatched from this village than ever before.
THE HUTTON FAMILY.
From the foregoing List of Firms making sickles, hooks and seytties irr 1787, it wouiabe difficult to namethe
oldest. It is on record, however, that in 1678, more than a century earlier than our Lisi, Richard Eutton, ton of
Eenry.Rutton. farmer of Switton, was apprenticed to Thomas Staniforth, of Sload,Lane, Riageway, in the sickle trade for
a period of 8 years and 9 monthis-which would indicate that he was born about 18M in the reign of Charles 1I..
it also shows that Riageway, and the sickle trade become known even at:that iariy date, aiso that the stani.
forth family were already. in the trade. Reference to the Lies shows there was a Staniforth and Booth at Ford, Luke
Staniforth at Moorhole. Thomia*Stanilorth at Elackenthorpe and John Staniforth at Troway in 1787. But who v~ Thomas
Staniforth of Sloaa ~ Lane in 1878, 'more than a century * earlier ?
On 28th October, 1704, Richard llutton took out his freedom and registered "Y" as his trade mark. He is also
described as a weaver, and this would be his bye. occupation,. since the sickle trade was not always a full. time
employment. He died In 1709 and left four sons
Joseph, Charles, George and John.
Joseph I was born in 1699. He was apprenticed to Jonathan Booth, of Ridgeway. in the sickle trade and took out
his freedom on 29th September, 1722. lle registered
7
his trade mark, a leaf, which somewhat resembles a heart laid on its side. He took two apprentices besides trainffi
his son Joseph 1I. His first apprentice wits John Bootl (presumably his step-son) and later a partner withihis con, in
the firm of Booth and Eutton, established in 1774. Be served as churchwarden of Eckington parish in 1788 and 1740, and
as Overseer of the Poor in 1761. In addition, he was an Assistant of the Cutlers' Company in 1788-4 and 1745.9. It was
on 19th December, 1744 that he purchased the land comprising the farm at Geer Lane, now tenanted by Air. Lealie Beaton,
and still owned by the Hutton family. Joseph I died in 1775.
Joseph II was borp in 1728. Served his apprenticeship irith his father, took out his freedom on 28th September,
1751, and registered as his mark I.E. in a square. He seents to have been a vigorous personality, laying the foundations
of the modern business. He tpok seven apprentices in 28 years besides training his son, Jboeph Ill. The last of these
apprentices was taken in 1780. He was also Assistant of the Cutlers' Company in 1762. The Order book for 1768.71 reveals
that he travelled the outskirts of London and the East Midlands; Maidstone and Dartford to Loughborough and Leicester.
His maximum output in 1770 would indicate a staff of some 4 or 5 men-a figure that would put the firm amongst the
biggest sickle manufacturers in the Sheffield district, since in 1787 the typical sickle business consisted of a master
and one journeyman. In 1780 Joseph II died.
Jose h III was born about 1758. As previously recordea he Bervef his apprenticeship with his father. He took out
his freedom on 24th November, 1780, and registered the same mark or, his father, whom he succeeded in the business. He
never married 1 but adopted his nephew, Joseph IV, the orphan son of his brother William, who was, in 1787, carrying on
as an edge-tool maker at Marsh Lane with the trade name---Hutton.--- Another brother, Ezra, was in partnership with him
until Ezra's. death in 1802. He also took an interest in his (Ezra'a) two orphaned tons, Thomas and Joseph V. Between
1789 and 1805 he took six apprentices, whilst his brother Ezra, who had purchased his freedom in 1792 for £20 under the
Act of 1791, took two apprentices only. After Ezra'e death these two appren. tices were transferred to his widow-Alary
Jermyn EuttoD -who thus was a partner in the business. Jos4h III was also prominent as a sickle manufacturer,
representing the
a
trade as Assistant of the Cutlers' Company in 1791, 1792, 1799, 1805 and 1812. He waa an ingenious man and re. ceivad
the silver medal of the Society of Arts in 1810 for a new typ~ of reapingbook which was half sickle and half book. He
undoubtedly helped to set Joseph IV up in business sometime after 1810, and probably helped to launch the Arm of Thomas
and Joseph Rutton in 1821-2. When he died In 1823, aged 67 years, he left 100 guineas to the Shaffield Infirmary.
Mary Jermyn mentioned in the preceding pars. raph as the widow of Ezra Eutton, resided. before or marriage, at
Drake House, near Hackenthorpe. Bzra Eutton eloped with her from there and they were married at Gretna Green. On their
return they resided at what is now known as Thomb.111 Cottage. Up to a few years ago this was evidenced by Ezra's
signature written with a diamond on a window pane. A further piece of evidence is a room stove with a figure of a woman
with a sickle cast on one panel and a man with a sythe on the other. It is believed, though not con. "'V ly established,
that the was related to Henry J&rM a favourite at the Court of Charles II, whose trame~s. perpetuated in Jermyn Street,
London.
The house adjacent to ThdrnhW Cottage and some. times described as" Town House." was built by E= and Mar_7
Etutton for their son Thomas. On the south wide of the house is a stone bearing this inscription
WRA EUTTON set this stone in the year 1781. Joseph IV., known as "The Old Blade. " was horn probably about 1789.
After the death of his father, 1ViMam. h* was apprenticed to his uncle, Joseph M in the ear 18W, for seven years, and
took out his freedom in 191@0. Be waa an Assistant of the'Cutlers' Company in 1818.4. Apparently he was in business for
himself by 1815 at the latest, since the "Palais Royale," formerly his work. shop and warehouse has "1815" carved upon
It. The load. lug doorlof the warehouse on the first floor is still to be aeon in $be Sable facing the highway. The late
James Fidler', mason, whilst breaking through a wall of thia building, now the Queen's Read Inn, found a reaping book
and two slokles built into the wall. A sheet of paper was also found (now In possession of the Eutton family) on which
was writtew :
9
,A
%'a' hook.and two sickles were hidden here on 'December 18th, 18n. by me, Joseph Button. When they are found examine if.
any improve. ment bat taken place in making tickles.--
And on the reverse side :
Ir
Joseph Buttorr was the inventor of Bosser for making sicklea.--
Like his uncle, Joseph IV was an ingenious man, for not only did he invent the -bosser, * but he tried to work
out the principle of ball-bearings. Like his uncle he re. mained a bachelor. He was a great traveller, visiting the
continent aria -North America chiefly orr business. He became a Roman Catholic and built a house for himself .which he
called "Saint Cross.--- In this he included a p.ivate chapel. He was reputed to he superstitious for. to it was said, he
had the house built without the use of a ladder. A story is told that on one occasion, when retur^g from Spinkbill
Church. he called on Mrs. Robinton of the Crown Inn. Moshoro' and asked her to fry him some beef steak. As an old friend
Mrs. Robinson chided him that as a good Catholic he should he lasting. to which he replied ** 1 am indeed a good
Catholic but
A
I've got a Protestant stomach ** or words to the same ellect.
Although he was ingenious, he wat also cantankerous, and quarrelled both wit his relatives and his workpeople.
Round about 1822.8 he had a dispute with his men over prices, and when they "put him on the shelf--- he retorted by
selling his busineis and trude mark to Messrs. Fussell, of Somerset. The rest of his life he spent experimenting aria
travelling, and generally leading the life of a country gentleman. Be died on lOtS April, 1802, aged 73 years.
Thomas, the son of Ezm and Mary Jermyn Button, was born iii the year 1799. Be was apprenticed to a factor before
entering the sickle trade, indicating that the emphasis was now on the commercial rather than on the industrial side.
Shortly after coming of age Thorn&& enthered Into partnership with his younger brother, Joseph V,., and in 1821.2 Thomas
and Joseph Button started 'business at the Plicenix Works, which has since played such an im. portant part In the
economic life of thevillage.
In 1828 Joseph V. died suddenly and Thomat was lef h alone to carry on the business for tome 18 years. Round
about 1836, orders for scythes had so increased that the firm began to manufacture them-buying Mullins' Wheel and
smithies in that year and converting this sickle wheel
10
into a solthe forge. A 83 in 1844 they purchased Mark
Webster's trade mark eye) for. the sum of £250
aria thereby gained a i the 1)olish market.
In 18".5 Thomas took into partnership bit con, John
Jermyn (senior). who came of age in 1845. together with
hial U!h~ZO,.Eaward Newton. ton of a grocer In Sheffiela.
In as died .
The firm continued to be Button aria Nowton until some time after 1859; but by 1882 It was Button aria co., in
bole control of John Jermyn Button (senior). On the 28th june, iiii, he alea at the age of 42 years. It Is well within
the rcooUcottork of many natives of the village that hiswidowlived for many years at "The Lawn," where she dieaon 15th
May, 19M. aged 80 years.
In course of time control of the business passed to his son, John Jermyn (junior), who, carne of age on 13th
September. 1880, ana to remained until he aiid on 80th March.3927. Some years prior to hit death he had taken into
partnership his son Joseph 011bert 3ermyn Button, and it was upon him that the responsibility of the business now
devolved.
On the 12th November last year, he too passed away. His ddath marks the terminus of the male line of this branch
of the Button family.
The bare recital of the foregoing record is impressive although It falls to prese,~t the human and social
features of the family. Thee* will he gleaned as the story proceeds.
In the course of this narration-we have teen how three other Arms mentioned In the Table: Thomas Slagg and Son,
William. Mullins, and that of Mark Welister. were acquired by the Button Arm-the first mentioned when Thomas Button
marricahis cousin, Ann Slagg, and thus brought the well-known mark "B.Y."-to the firm, and the hat two by purchase in 1M
aria 18" respectively. It is proposed now to record what is known of the other firms mentioned In the Table.
STAN1FORTH. In 1878 Richard llutton was appren.
ticed too Thomas Staniforth of Sload Lane. In the List
of Outle -1680 it is stated that William
.xt for the year* 1824
Staniforth was established at " Littlield " at that time. as a ahsarsmith. !.a., sickle, book or teytheamith. This
Williarn had a son William whom lit. apprenticed to Itichard Rodgaon. sloklesrnith of Jordanthorpe in 1654 for 7 years.
This son fWilliam took out his freedom and was granted a inark in 1882.
11
It it noteworthy that the earliest recorded grant of a mark b7 the Cutlers Company to shearamiths was to Thorhas
Cowley in 1814. The next being to Stephen Beardsall at, or about, the came time. These two marks are in the record
numbered 1 and 2 resp'*ectively. /In which case Ridgeway becomes pre-eminent since in the TURNE1t record following, both
Cowley and Beardsall are mentioned as " of Ridgeway."
In 1881 Robert Staniforth, son of the first William Staniforth of " Littfield," was apprenticed to William
Cowley of Little Norton, shearamith of Little Norton, for a period of five Years and took out hie freedom in 1838. On
24th 51av, 1638. Robert Staniforth was granted the mark." HC. "* In 1889, Henry the son of Robert Staniforth The Ford,
tanner, was apprenticed to Robert Twigg junior for a period of 9 vears. In 1851 John, the son of George Staniforth of
Gee; Lane, yeoman, was apprenticed to Stephen Beardsall of Ri&eway Lane, r.hearamitb,.for a period of 7 years and w11
granted n mark in 1858. And so on.
A ~
hi, 11 p
Plumbley Lane , Gin Banks In distance
12
The history of the Staniforth family between 1824 and 38W is virtually the history of the sickle and scythe
industry in this village and neighbourhood for those two centuries. They ware dominant in the trade and the only
challengers were the Turner family, with which we deal next. Robert Staniforth was Assistant to the Outlers Company from
1768 until his death in May 1788. He would, most probably, be the grandson of Williarn of LittUld. "
Coming to more recent times, it appears that the works of Edmund and Ezra Staniforth of Troway were situate at
the Black-amoor end of the village. Their grinding was done at FieR's wheel in Eckington -Wood which will be dealt with
later. The late Mr. Joseph Unwin of Church School Lane, when a #youth, drove n white donkey with their work to this
Wheel, a century or so ago.
In addition to owning Mosbro' Moor Hall, the family also owned Moebro' Hill where at least one generation was
reared. One daughter married John Whitaker, tailor of High Lane, and another Thomas Kirkby shoemaker, also of High IAns.
John Staniforth, more generally known as " Dusty," resided at Mosbro Moor Hall and kept a pack of harriers. Henry
Rodgers, sicklesmith, of Ridgeway was a great man with him on Leld days. It is related that on one occasion they swam
the river at Bedgrave Mill after the pack.
To-day, the business and the name are perpetuated in the firm of Thomas Staniforth and Co. Ltd., of
Hackenthorpe.
TURNER. In the brief account of the Staniforth family it will be recalled that in 1651 John Staniforth was
apprenticed to Stephen Beardsall of Ridgeway Lane. But round about 1819~me 30 years earlier-this Stephen Beardsall had
taken an apprentice named Edward Turner, who purchased his. freedom in 1828. This appears to place the Turner family in
thi front rank as the oldest Ridgeway family yet mentioned. Followm* , is a Table shewing the apprenticeships of and
with the kmer family during the 17th century.
13
0.
A
an con ot Address Apprenticed to Address Year
gdward 1 stepbta? lkatda&tl ludgeway Lane 16191
Willian Ridowate bulde 16.31
etAr 9t. Robert Teony Vier
7 1634
John John Pord 4656
John John 1Mord otephem W"rdaall le::y Lane 1637
ThomLS John Pord Pebort 41taultorth 1641
John George Lightwood John "mer Wd 1668
William ltabert Worlon john Turner lUdgeway 1673
WIlliam Robers Norton Theme* Turner ar 1680
joseph Vincent Bramity George Turner 1694
The old spelling has been retained as; some Indication of the pronunciation
at that tum
In the care of John and William mentioned above, their apprenticeship& had to he transferred to Stephen
Beardsall end George Turner respectively, owing to the Brat mentioned 15erson having died or removed, or possibly as the
result of some disagreement.
Apprenticeship& were entered into when the lad was at least 12 Years of age. Under that age it was illegal,
except perhips, in the case of a foundling& It was alto a breach of the Ordinances for an 'apprentice to be hired out.
To acquire his freedom it cost the apprentice 3s. 4d. and a registered mark cost 2s. 8d.
A~ the Edward Turner first mentioned would be at least 21 years of age when he acquired hie freedom in 1628. he
must have been born round about the Year 1607-in the reign of Jamea I; the Brat of the Stua;ts.
On reference to the Table of Marks it will be seen that there are two Turners in business in 1787# (the,date of
the Table), Robert Turner and Godfrey Turner both of Ridgeway. Ten Years later Godirey Turner had disap. penred. and by
1815 Bohert Turner had become Turner and Broornhend. BY 1.1.425 the firin of Turner and Broorn. head had becoine William
Broomhead.
BROO1IHEAD. T13e William Broomhead just referred to in the Turner record, was the son of Godfrey Broom. head of
Dronfield, butcher, and Willian) was apprenticed to Robert Turner of Ridgeway, sicklesinith, in 1790 for a period of 7
Years.. taking out Isis freedom in 1SW.
By 1815 he had become a partner in the business and bY 1825 he had hecoine proprietor.
The workshops of William Broomlicad (and presum. ably of Robert Turner before bin&) were in the main street of
the village, and are non. converted into houses belonging to 1Mr. Archer. The comparatively new one almost opposite
14
1
4
the poct office. was not then built. Xearby, however. wib a building with a large archway and a chamber over, know'n*~i
The Old 1Athe. The late Mr. Arthur Marah's mother of The Haven used to relate bow she bad pedanea for bours for a man
who was turning handles for sickle& at this Lathe. Mr. William Broomhead also had the works at the end and rear of
Bidgeymy House where he resided. These workshops are now pulled down and three oottages erected on the site.
William Broombead was also a farmer In a big way. He farmed' all the land of the War Memorial property and most
of the land between there and Base Green.
His son, William Broombead juni- whilst traYeUing, presumably for business, was murddred somewhere in
Oxfordshire. The trade mark "W.B." was acquired many
Rcars ago by the late Mr. J. G. J. llutton from Mr. Orace Bolsover of the firm of Thomat Bolsover and Sons.
At the rear of the cottages mentioned above is a former cowhouse or farm bulifflin with the inscription 1777
indicating a James Broombeatc& the thenowner.
J.111.
HASLAM. John llaslam and Sons succeeded to the workshop* of 1William Broombead. In 3728 Godirel Hatlam, con of
Samuel Haidam, was apprenticed to Thomas Bird of nigh Lane for '" od of 8 years and took out his freedom in 1785.
A:otpberi son. Samuel, was apprenticed to John Turner of Sload Lane In 1729 for n similar term and took out his freedom
in 1789. Godfrel had two of his so= John and Joseph as apprentice& to the sickle trade. John took out his freedom in
1764 and hir, brother Joseph in 1791.
The John Haslam known to many people still living would most likely be the son of John mentioned above. The John
Haslam remembered, had a tall lean figure and in impressive personality-or so it seemed to a youth in hit 'Leens. He
travelled extensively in Ireland and on ration zed to entertain his contemporaries with accounts f h,,, 9p
ex eriences. He died in the later years of last century at the ripe old age of 92 years.
The firm's trade mark " LX. within a heart." was first ented, in 1784. In later years the firm struck "R.R.
which is thought to he the mark originally granted to Robert Reston at a much earlier date. incidentally, the came mark
was trai2af6rred to Paul Crofts in 1770.
is
The gAnding work of the Arm was acne at the'Never Year Wheel. and they were in fact, the last firm to use it for sickle,
grinding.
BOOTH. This family follows thJTurner and Stant. forth families as being the next oldest recorded name in the
annals of Ridgeway and the sickle trade. Althouqh no member of the family is now residing here, it is within the memory
of many still living to recall Itichard Booth the school attendance officer of the now defunct Eckington School Board.
Williarn Booth who lived (anaaled) at " the top o' the town " was also a member of the same family.
It is rwotded that in the year 1852 William Booth apprenticed his ton Robert to Thomas Littlewood &hear. smith
of Geer IAne, for a period of 8 years and that llobert took out his freedom in 1882. Again, in 1880 Thomas Booth of
Rid~eway Lane, Warewan,, apprenticed his son John to John Turner, shearamit)kof The Ford for a period of 8 years, John
taking out his'Treedom in 1870. Yet again, William Booth in 1661 apprenticed his son William too Robert Staniforth,
shearsmith, of Ford for a period of 8 Tears and that 1Williarn was granted his free.' aorn and a x~ark in 1673. Here we
have the three oldest recorded names mentioned in appropriate combinationTurner, Staniforth, Booth and the first (but
not the last) mention of the name of Littlewood in connection with the trade. The cases cited do not by any means
exhaust the Booth record for the 17th century.
It is also mentioned that John Booth of Pvidgewq was Assistant to the Cutlers Company in 1758 and 1770.
In the first half of the 18tb century the Booth family held 12 churchwardenships of Eckington Church between
3709 and 1760, end 16 overseerships of the parish, which may be taken as some indication of the family's standing at
that time.
It mav however, be appropriately mentioned here, that these positions of churchwarden and overseer were not
coveted public honours or regarded as marks of public Rppreciation to the extent they became later. Attendance at divine
worship was more 'or less compulsory and one of the churchwardens' duties was to clear the public houses and gat the
customers to church. The farmers of those day& proved equal to the occasion for they mad* use of the churchyard by
exhibiting their produce. end it becarne a regular proceeding, after service, for offers to be mad*
16
and bargains to he struck. After all, it was a central Ineetin place for farmers who seldom aaw each other, and tisy
made full use of their opportunities.
Persons nominated at churchwarden or overseer had either to fulfil the duties or provide ~a substitute-as many
nominees did.
WEBSTER. The trade mark of the sun with a dot in the centre " now amended to a bird's eye " was first granted to
William Webster on 27th October. 1780 and the works cotablialb-A at Common Side, whilst the grinding was done at Ford
Wheel. William Webster was the son of William Webater and had been apprenticed to Roherb Turner of Ridgeway Moor Side
(or Common Side) taking out his freedom in 1780. The firm. continued as William Webater until some time after 1815 when
it became Webater and Webater, i.e. Mark Webster and Thomas Webater. Mark Webater was the con of William Webeher junior
and was apprenticed to his father, taking out his 6~ in 1818. Thomas Webster wu the son of. John Webater of Troway and
m" apprenticed to John UuUhw of Ford in 1798 for a period of 71 years.
As Wobster and Webater these cousins, Mark and Tboms, owled on the business until come time prior to IM when dw
title of the Arm became Mark Webater.
Mark Webater was not only a sickle manufacturer but also a farmer In a big way. He was als6 a landowner. Most of
the land and property between the stream and what Is now the old vicarage-including the Common Sid.* Works and Ford
Wheel-belonged to him. When be diod be. left, instructions that the whole of his estate, red and pemn&l had to be *cold.
Mr. Rowland Ward was the auctioneer and the sale took three full days.
Th44rads mark " a bird'. ,, " had been'acquired h Thomu and Joseph llutton m 18M. The Common D
Sfdo 1~ &M Ford Wheel ware purchased by William pox of Troway in lwa.
Mark W4bstcr died on 14th March, 1858 aged 72
and Tbomas died Oth June, 1880 aged 78 years.
;cc"y arc both buried In the Methodist Oburch
burial
1 ground, each grave being marked by a substantial tomb.
17
ce to the Table of llarka sliews that
Pox. lweren c; Stephen
at Troway there were two firms of this nam
FOX !senior (with the trade mark FOX) and Stephen ( Fox
junior (with the tryids mark L.O.).
The mark A. FOX wag granted to Anthon7 Fox on 25th January, 1752 whilst Stephen Fox junior acquired his mark
*0.0. (not L.O.) on 27th January, 1710.
it is recorded that George pox of itioshro' had his
lin 1,,iullinq senior. sickle.
ton stephen apprenticed to 0 t it was not
smith, Ford in the roar -1750, for 81 years. hu
until 1770 that St4ben took out his freedom. The same
' 0.0.
year he acquired the rnark This is the StCOU FOX
% . ana it was this business
3unlor referred to in the Toble
with the trade rmrk ---L,0.11 which eventually survived.
In 1756 a Steplien Fox was Overseer. and in 1159
citurchwarden of the pari%h. This must have been
StepheD
Fox senior as Stephen Fox junior in 1756 would bave
been under 19 y"re of age. Abn, Steshen
Ste hen the junior had three tons and Wifijam, each being apprenticed to the trade. ohn and Stephen ~h took out
their freedom in 1791, and William in 1792.
Some time before 1815 the title Stephen Fox junior had been supplanted by Williarn Fox. It was this Williarn Fox
who in 1858 purchased the Common Side works and Ford Wheel of Alark Webster. Prom that time the business title became
ri\'iliiam Fox and Sons---the sons being Stephen and William.
1 William Fox the elder was born in 1796 and died in 18774, leaving these two sons to carry on the business in
the interests of their another who survived her husband many years.
The son Stephen took little active part and retitea early from the management. William the -younger (father of
the late Mr. W. A. Fox) died on Oth llarch, 1885 aged
He had held a number of public, positions. lie nenl,~, created Eckington in aging membership of t SchoorBoard.
Henceforth the business came under the control of the aforesaid Mr. W. A. Fox (whose public services will be mentioned
Inter) and at his death on the 28th December, 1985, the business and corporate mark were sold to Messrs. Thomas
Staniforth and Go. Ltd. of lgaokentborps with whom Mr. Fox had been closely associated for many years previously.
18
In the records Is an entry that Richard Fox, con of Robert Pox of BIrley, ocythesmith, was apprenticed to Robert
Cowper, scythesmith In 1887 but re-appreatioed to his father the following year for a period of 8 &years. But these bare
fact# are Insufficient to link up with the rest of the Fox family. '
BOLSOVER. Many residents will remember this firin of Thornas Bolsover and Gone---the acts being Joeeph and
Thornas llorace. Their mark 1.B. It one of tba oldest on the Cutler* Company Regiater, dating back to 1648. This will be
referred to in a subsequent paragraph.
The elder con, Joseph, wag appointed clerk to the Eckington ]Parish Council and Rate Collector and, in con.
sequence, severed his connection with the business. The. workshops were on the right immediately by the road junction at
High lane travelling in the direction of Sheffield. When the works were in full swing the grinding was done at Field's
Wheel In Eckington Wood. In later years the business was transferred tp Colonial (Works. Mosbro' Moor-which were tailt
and occupied by John Riley with the triade mark M. This mark was taken over by Thomas Staniforth and Co. U4. of
Backentborpo.
The works at High Late were subsequently made into cottages-one of the buildings adjacent to the road was the
tedding-house. .
One, Thomas Bolsover, the ton of Joslab, was apprenticed to George Turner of HighJ-4ne and took out his freedom
In 1727. A later Thomas, the son of John Bolsover of Mosbro'. was apprenticed to Joseph llutton of Ridgewl in 1716 for a
period of 6 years 11 months taking out is freedom in 1791.
On 24th November, 1775, John Bolsover was granted the mark 3
,5 which was transferred. to his son Thomas on 80th September, 1791. This appears to brin us back to our
starting point cif Thomas Bolsover anT Sons, or within a generation.
As previously stated, the trade mark I.B. has b"n struck by a number of Arms since it was first granted to John
Bother of High IAne on Wth May, 1648. He was also granted the come mark as a sc7the mark on 17th February, 1881.
Jonathan Booth used it in 1678 and Robers Rowell was granted a similar one on 80th A ale 1098. The firm of Burrows of
Birley May also atruay it for a number of yehrs.
19
-------------
HAVENHAND. In 1740 Godfrey, the son of ThOM55 Havenhana of Troway sicklesmith was apprenticed to John Gowley,
sioltiesmith Of BT11M167 for 11 yeart and took out his freedom in 1748. Thomas' other ton mark. was, in the aame year
apprenticed to George Stianiforth of Litteeld for 8 years 9 months taking out tilt freedom in 1745. On 29th January,
174~ Mark Havenhand was granted the trade mark '51.11. mentioned in the Table at situate at lligb Lane. In due course
Murk had a con Thomas and another Samuel, each of thein being appren. ticed to their father. Thomas took out his freedom
in 1178, but Sainuel not until 1792. Samuel bad three cons -Samuel, William and James. The first two, Samuel and
William, were' apprentioed to their father in 1812 and James in 1818, each for a period of 7 years.
KEBTONI. John, son of 5Villiam Kemon of Gaer Lane, eicklesmith was apprenticed to RoberMaworth of Ridgeway,
tickleamith, in 1736 for 8 yearn. Another ton, Thomas, was apprenticed to the cutlery trade in 1787. This JIn would,
most probably, be the John Keeton referred to in the Tiable of Marks; since John the ton of John Keeton of High Lane was
apprenticed to his .father and took out his freedorn in 1791.
Mark, the son of John Keeton of The Haven, sickle. smith was tipprenticed in 1811 for a period of 7 years. Mark
would appear to be the grandson of the John first mentioned.
ROTHERHAINI. Williarn Rotherham with the matk W.R. would appear to have been the son of Thomas Rotherham with
the marU.T.R.-since it is recorded that Thoma the son of Christopher RotherhaTri, ' Coman, of l! was apprenticed to
Peter Cos%.lcy ofY '
Trowa~ Troway ill
1788, some 54 years prior to the date of the Table.
Whereas William, the son of Thomas of Troway only took
out freedom in 1790, three years ofter the date oi
the ' ame. Apparently, he would have established himself
in business before taking out his freedom.
20
i
FISHER. Although this name do* not appear in the Table of Marks it hu played an important part in the scythe
industry of this village and district for more than a century. The firm of Fisher Brothers was established at Millhcuses
Forge 4. near " Sheffield In the early years of last century. but for how long before is not clear. 11* firin consisted
of three brothers. John, Michael and Themes. In the year 1828 the firm were doing business with Hutton & Co., of Phoenix
Works. and the name of*Michae) Fisher appears regularly on the wages list at that time and many year# atter.
BY 1830 Michael F4her had left Millho'llses and come to reside at the cottage adjoining 71ombill Cottage. At the
tarne time Fisher Brothers became the first tenants of Birley Hay Forge. Michael Fisher was a highly respected and
successful business man.
After his death the business was carried on by his son James Another ton. Sarnuel, was for many years cashier at
the Phoenix Works of Hutton & Co. 71omas, another son. was also appren. ticed to the trade. and could recollect, as a
boy, driving a packhorse through Ryalts' Wood at midnight. probably with a load of scytheii. JUM Faber Was U early
member of the JE~00 School Board and &h* of the Highway Board for many years.
Nom Tle writer h Indebted to Mr. joseph Rippon. of
the Phoenix Works for a detailed aecount of the death of William
Broombead, Junior. mentioned earlier in the Broombead record.
It is a manZI co Rof' the account of his death which appeared
in The SA 0 otherham Independent of Saturday, the
16th Octob*4 1841.
718 Mort aates that William Broomlead, junior. was the third ton of William Broombead, sickle manufacturer. and
that whilst travelling f@ dw Arm. was found drowned in the River Ray, near Brill, Wordshire. He had apparently left his
Inn at Brill on Thursday. 3% September. for Bicester, the next market town. On Monday. 1 lth October, his body was found
in the river by a boy who was searching for a wild duck he had shot. The coroner's !m returned . a verdict of " Found
.drowned.' His po~auteau, watch and the bulk Of deceased's money were tniui%. Mr. James Taylor. manager of the Phoenix
Works at that time. and another person, went to Brill to repre. sent the family and to bring home the body. It appears
that about the time he left Brill, he wrote to say he expected to he home by Saturday. 2nd October. He was a
popular'young man and was shortly to have been' married. The remains were interred at Eckington Chur&
21
.14
THE SICKLE SMITH. The sickle trade was not always a full-time occupation. It had its busy periods and its slack
periods of the year with uncanni regularity. The Trade Winds may have had something to do with it. in the trade with the
South. em Hemisphere. but the European trade *would he outside this explanation. The fact remains. August and September
were slack months. and the sickle-maker's year ended on the 12th August each year. He was theri free to change his
employer if he so wished.
At this season. many men wen' into Nottinghamshireround Worksop and Refford probablywith their sickle% and hooks
to sheer corn. The.contract included cutting and stooking.
For this work the rice varied between IS/. and 20/- an acre. When a man hal cut a stack of 12 sheaves he was
said to have cut a " kiver." .When asked how much groMad he had cleared he might reply about a yocking." Presum*ly about
equal to what a man might plough at one yokeint-(say) half an acre.
It was the custom to place two sheaves called " hooders on top of a stook. which proved very effective in tuming
the rain. The stooks were carefully made,.and seldom blew over. When a field had been cut by shearers no after taking
was required. but gleaners were permitted to cleat what remained. The straw. too, fetched a higher price if &heated.
since less straw was broken.
Sickle-makers and gr ders had their Trade Union (or Trade Society) and the men pa210 their " natty " money each
reckoning " as their pay-day was called. Failing to pay the natty " money was regarded by fellow members as a serious
default, If it continued after due waming a meeting was held to consider the case. and, if serious enough it might be
decided to ** ratten--him. His tools might be taken and hidden so that he was unable to work. If a grinder, his
wheel-band might disappear or tome other part of his searing. In one case. a m n's workshop roof was blown off. and
although he afterwards le:rnt who had done it-no name was ever disclosed. Wages were paid fortnightly which led to a lot
of drinking and Ion of time. Messrs Hutton & Co. were the first or amongst the first to institute weekly pay.
days. llese incidents were a Pale reflection of what was taking place in Sheffield at this time and so well decribed by
Chades Reade in his novel,---Put Yourself in His Place." They were teething troubles of the infant Trade Union Movement
setting out to establish the right of combination.
Unemployment pay from the Society amounted to 5/per week and an additional shilling for each child.
22
The Secretary for the Sickle-makers Society was William Webster who held the position for 40 years. He died on
the 22nd June. 1875. and the members of the Society, as a mark of their appreciation, erected a second tombstone
recording the fact.
It has been the boast of the Scythe Grinder& Union that they were the smallest Union in the country. They could
also boast of 1,00 per cent. membership and two centuries of usefulness to the trade.'
Until the fast Great War apprentices were confined to sons -of existing members. but the exigencies of war
~compelled a relaxation of the regulation$ and tome six or seven nephews wen accepted. A qualified member had to he at
leut 29 years of age before he could take an apprentice. and a lapse of three years ,!oust occur between one apprentice
and the next. Needless to
this compact Union had'negotiated a wages scale which was the envy of the less fortunate craftsmen.
GRINDING WHEELS.
... There bt the stont-floored workshop. in the middle of a great dirty ci4--ihi ipindows half made up pith dust-three
men astraddid on their horsing&. and over their grinding-whech bending.
The drum that brings the pover from the engine
room pounds and thumps: the belting slaps and crackles: ahizz go the wheeh, so steady in their sockets. and the streams
of sparks fly rustling.
All ii so oldfashioned.- perhaps tu it was five
centuries ago "
by Edaard Carpenter.
Sickle-forging and sickle-grinding are complementary. They were forged in all sorts of out-ofthe-way places-but
they had to he ground; not once only. but twice.
During the 16th. 1 7th and 18th centuries. not the 1~ important factor in determining the location of the sickle
and scythe industry. would he the availablity of water and water power.
Not only Tust there be an ample supply of water. (oipe might find that in Lincolnshire) but the conformation of
the ground must he such as would readily lend itself to the construction of Dams. Such conditions were to he found in
the Rivelin Valley and the Little Don Valley-also in the Moss Valley where the stream meanders its way from Norton
through The Ford to Eckington.
In this valley there are. or have been. eight or nine such Dams erected within a stretch of less than two miles.
23 ,
The Ford Valley
1
- 1
Scythe3, as in the case of sickle$. were in the early days wholly hand-forged. Even at the Skelper Forge, it 4
Tecordcd that there was only a plating hammer*, &Ill the steeling work had to be done in the srnithics by hand labour.
Water-power made possible the tilt-hammer for for;ing scythes in addition to grinding both sickles and scythes.
Until steam was harnessed, it was the only power available. In regard to cost. however, water-power could not Compare
with acam. There are to many incidentals connected with the maintainance of Darns. Then there is the first and second
motion equipment imide the wheel house. Floods and drought% have to be coped with too. One enemy of the security of
embankment# 4 the mole. At a yestry meeting held at Ridgeway on Thursday. Ist May. 1862, it was resolved " nemine
contradicente " to employ George oliphant to catch moles in the township of Troway. With what success or otherwise is
not recorded.
THE SICKLEBROOK. In the upper reaches of the Moss, a mite or so upstream from the Ford, is a tributary coming
from the Troway uplands and. significantly enough, named the Sicklebrook. Downstream of this point for a distance of two
miles, has proved to be the cradle of the sickle and scythe industry for this district, over three centuries.
24
FOXHOLES WHEEL The first on the stream, and the first to he mentioned. is the Foxholes Dam of which nothing now
remains except the outline and the name. It was situate on the upstream side of the bridle-path leading from Geor Lane
Farm to Troway. lle interior of what was once the Dam is now a flat grassy enclosure. whilst the stone of the grinding
wheel is incorporated in the house occupied by Mr. Thomas Renshaw and formerly by Mr. F. D. Fisher. The bridle-path
terminates at Troway opposite the troufh or ** trow " which gives the village its name. It would. to doubt, he the only
Wheel available at the time., and would in these circumstances be used not only by the Troway tickl"akers but by those
at " Utt. field." Sload Lane. 11% Ford and Ceer Lane, and probably still further &field. It had me teflous draw-backit
could only he approached by pack-mul^ and when " wheel carts ** came to be used there was no roadway approach. Also.
because of its elevation on the stream its supply of water would he restricted.
The Sicklebrook mentioned is the boundary between the
Pad on and Coal Aston. ¬ a story is told of a
the was hanged hereabouts. The man had the
she shoulders and on getting ove; a ~tile (os
PO lipped and fell back on the opposite
side an by the neck. and
unable to yet*~ by the sheep; not by
the law on M 0~im 9 of one may as well
he hanged for a Acep U a 1
The ode or Wgk being the boundary between the Parishes, neither of the ~able* of the parish. would accept
jurisdiction. Eventually Coat Aston a~ but claimed tome rateable value nearby as compewation. It h *aid that an island
plot in Eckington parish paid rates to Coat Aston for years afterwards-until land was de-rated ? Perhaps 1
BIRLEY HAY FORGE AND WHEEL The first available recorded mention of this Wheel is an Abstract of Tide dated 13th
October. 1757, when Hugh Parker and Officy Shore were in po~ion as Mort gees with Power of Sale of freehold
$h" of Eddagt
ep Atealer who
ep roped om his
nibl 1 a bridge) the cam~
ol the stile. The rope caught the m himself. was duly banged
Hence the sayin
&=h.* #
tickle shops, grinding wheelsa and hereditamen'ts. In an Abstract of the Will of John Savage of Birley Hay. yeoman, he
gave to his wife Sarah Savage during her life that tenement or dwelling.
house with the appurtenants being in his fold yard
and in the
holding of Peter Dawes and after her decease to his son-in-
law
John Mulling& and his daughter Hannah Mullings, eto:
At
thil time the Wheel and Smithies were in the occupation of
Stani.
forth and Booth mentioned in the Table of 1787.
2.5
'n
Under this Will, Ann Hutton. Ae of Richard Field
(prob-
ably of Marsh Lane) received one-fifth shari, in the year
1791 or
thereabouts. 1
There is a field known as " Rotherharn's Close" and it is believed that the Rotherham family had Birley Hay some
time earlier.
In 1836, Thomas Hutton bought the Wheel and Smithies and converted the sickle winding wheel nearest Geer Lane
into a scythe forge. Another water wheel was also installed to enable the grinding wheel and forge to be worked
separately. He also raised the embankment and weir tome 31 feet which resulted in the inundation of land further
upstream. This involved him in the payment of compensation to Jane FoxIowe of it 5 and to John Archer of Ceer Lane L] 7.
" for any damage caused thereby for ever and ever."
WZ9
8
1
Birley Hay Dam.
Ar
The first tenants of Birley Hay Forge were the Fisher Brothers who came from Millhouses about the year 1850.
Their first forgeman was named Fox and their second John Stones whose father had worked for Mullins' at Skelper Forge.
He was
26
apprenticed to his (ather when Mullint' removed to Conisboro about 1835, and fi~ his enticethip with Mountford's of
Totley Force. When F-nheragrlooffien save up the tenancy he took over Birley Fby sometime prior to 185;B. He resided at
the house at the foot of Ford Hil
Between 1836 and 1862 the Hutton firm would use Birley Hay for their sickle-vinding. Prior to thad the work was
done at the Upper and Nether Wheels. Birley Moor (or Non~ton Springs) which belonged to Thomas Hutton. The firm also
used the. Skelper Wheel when grinding commenced there.
SKELPER FORGE AND WHEEL. a its name implies. was fint erected as a scythe forge. TO ', &kelp ', i& A Northern
dialect word meaning to smack or &lap. The tflt4m=er driven by the water whed was the skelper and by its situation would
be beard skelping at Ridgeway ;~htnever the west wind prevailed.
There are two dams. the Top and Bottom Skelper. and all water afterwards flowed into the Birley Hay Dam The
water. wheel is generally regarded as being the largest in. lameter in the district.
After the Mullint firm had dismantled the forge, it was converted to sickle grinding and haftturning. The late
Mr. John Taylor, handle turner for Hutton & Co., as a lad. worked there with his father for tome yem
The Mullins family would probably, have possession from about 1700 to 1835. A Thomas Mulj'im was Overseer of
Eckington Parish in 1709. The family lived at Birley Hay at various times whilst working the Skelper.
An amusing story is told of an apprentice boy who, early morning. went to prepare the place for the workmen and
to his great astonishment found the Wheel working, but going the wrong way round. He shot oil home like a stag but
meeting a workman coming up he shouted that the wheel was running the wrong way round and "Ihe devil was in the place."
Lea timorous. die man went up to inspect and found that during the night one pf the boards of the pea-trough had bunt
off andL being well back. had allowed the water to drop on the back of the* water wheel and to reverse the direction.
On a beam in the Phoenix warehouse is chalked up a statement to the eflect that Skelper Dam burst on 28th
January. 1809.
The Skelper Darns will probably be older than the Birley Hay Dam.
27
FORD WHEEL. This is the next downstream, and like the rest of them completely out of use as a Grinding Wheel,
The Wheel has apparently been consistently linked with the Cominon. side Works of William Webster. Webster & Webster,
and Mark We6ter. and more recently of William, Fox & Sons. It it readily accessible and would most likely he used by the
sicklemasters of The Ford and Sload Lane. Its functions were con. fined to sickle and book. grinding and
haft-turning-the latter by another branch of the Taylor family which excelled. in this class of work.
In later years. steam power was installed for all these purposes. but even that failed to stop disintegration.
SOUGH WHEEL is on the Marsh Lane side of the stream on Mr. Leslie Seaton's property. situate on a tributary of
the Moss with underground sources. Hence the name Sough-a dialect word meaning drain. 1 he water is highly iinpregnated
with ochre indicating iron ore nt the vicinity. V`
The Wheel was used by the Slagg firm; also by the Marsh Lane sickle makers. The Marsh Lane approach was a lane.
now overgrown, where the Summer Wood touches Ford Lane just below the entrance to Bramley Hollow. The late Mr. Mallender
used to tell how he had. a. a boy, driven pack-donkeys laden with sickles to the Wheel by way of this lane.
BY Summer Wood is to found a stone with this inscription
** NED died 22nd December. 1818 aged 36 years."
A not unworthy tribute to a friend of man-a pack-donkey.
William Tagg who resided at the farm higher up the bill. (where Mr. Mallender, Junior. now lives). used this
Wheel for silver stamping after he had been compulsorily evacuated by the Midland Railway from his former premises in
Sheaf Street, Sheffield.
The Slagg firm had as their warehouse and workshops the two cottages at the foot of the Ridgeway road-on the
West side. The loading door can still be seen in the South gable. Other shops were in the yard at the rear.
NEVER FEAR WHEEL is by reason of its somewhat poetic name and its pleasant situation perhaps the best known of
the Dams. Equally accessible from Mosboro' and Eckington. it is a favoudte rendezvous for old and young-and the not to
young. The romantic couples find the quietude and the sylvan
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surroundings blend harmoniously with their dreams. and what a delightful opening to conversation for the bashful twain.
never fear 1
High Lane and Ridgeway manufacturers used it and approached it either by way of Plumbley Lane or Busk Lane. The
sickle-makers of Plumbley Lane would find a ready access. too.
The weir of this Darn and of Field's Dam, further downstream. were washed away by floud water on the same night
and were never used again. It is a rewonable assumption. in the abtence of definite information, that this Wheel is
amongst the oldest in the valley.
John Hadam & Sons, of were the last firm to
tise it for ,ickie-crindisig.
FIELD'S WHEEL, as it'b raint was the property
.of John Field. sickle manufacturer of Marsh Lane. whose works were later converted into hoti...ts and known locally as
---Rag Row." These art.. now demolished. The site of the Wheel was about 200 Yards inside Eckington Wood approaching
from The Ford end. ' A fishing dam hat apparently been constructed on the site. Little or nothing now remains of cithe:
Wheel a. workshops, of what was once a prosp:rous and well-established business. The High Lane firm of Thonias Bolsover
& Sons used this Wheel at one period.
CARLTON WHEEL. Strictly speaking. this Wheel is outside the scope of an article on Ridgeway. It was situate just
outside Eckington WrM. all the foot of the Seldom Seen Colliery spoil tip. It would be used by the Moshoro'
sickle-makers, but there is no record of any Ridgeway firm using it. The different firms of the Turner family used it.
and we have seen what an ancient and prolific family that was.
,PUDDING WHEEL. This was the by-name given to Knowle Mill. Halfway. where flour as well as sickles was ground.
CHAPEL WHEEL, was situate near Eckington Midland Railway Station. and outside the scope of these articles, There
is no record of the Ridgeway firms using it.
GRINDING, whether 6f sickles, scythes or other edge tools has always been a more or less hazardous occupation.
Even with the utmost care it is not always possible to detect flaws in a grindstone, which., when travelling at speed.
might develop into cracks and eventual disintegration. Accidents are fortunately rare. owing to the precautionary
measures adopted. A distressing feature of the work, however. is the risk of silicosis. Generally
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