Illustrated Guide to Sheffield Pawson & Brailsford - 1862

GOVERNING AND PUBLIC BODIES, &c.

The most ancient of all the distinctively local public bodies in Sheffield are

THE TOWN TRUSTEES.

The origin of the corporate body now known as the Town Trustees dates back as far as 1297, when a charter was granted to the inhabi- tants by Thomas, the third Lord Furnival. The original document is still in the possession of the Trustees. The funds of the Trust were increased by many benefactors besides its first founders. They were principally appropriated to public uses, such as keeping in repair the bridges, the town armour, the pillory, the " cuck-stool," &c. At the Reformation, about two-thirds of the funds were appropriated to the maintenance of the three priests who assisted the Vicar. Afterwards the whole of the property was confiscated, but eventually it was restored, the two-thirds being devoted to the support of the priests mentioned, and the remaining third being vested in a body of the principal inhabi- tants. Under the name of " The Town Trustees," this body 6till exists, and now numbers twelve. Vacancies are filled up by public election amongst the freeholders of the township of Sheffield. The Town Trustees are of great public service, as, by the terms of their charter, the~ are allowed to spend their funas on " any charitable and public uses," so that they frequently carry out, or matelially assist in carrying out, valuable projects for the improvement of the town. In 1S65, the property belonging to the Trust realized Ł7 7s. a year; it now amounts to upwards of Ł2,000 per annum. Mr. W. Butcher is the head of the Trust, being called the Town Collector; Mr. H. Vickers, Bank street, is Law Clerk; and Mr. T. J. Flockton, East Parade, Surveyor.

THE CHURCH BURGESSES.

The Church Burgesses, as they are now called, are also a very ancient body. The Capital Burgesses and Commonalty were incorporated in 1554, by a charter granted by Queen Mary; but the circumstances attending the origin of the bodytake us to a much earlier period. It seems that the " voluntary principle" existed largely in Sheffield even in the middle ages; for the inhabitants maintained three priests to assist the Vicar in his duties. The violent changes in the time of Henry VIII. caused a failure of the contributions by which these ministers were maintained, and part of the funds mentioned in our account of the Town Trust were diverted to their support. This continued till the reign of Edward VI., when the lands by which they were maintained were seized and confiscated for the Crown. On the accession of Mary the inhabitants petitioned for the lands to be restored for the maintenance of the three priests, and the Queen granted the prayer by the charter already mentioned. By this deed the inhabitants of Sheffield were constituted a corporate body, entitled the " Twelve Capital Burgesses and Commonalty of the town and parish of Sheffield." According to the terms of the charter, twelve resident gentlemen were appointed as the executive body. By vote of their own members, they have continued to fill up the vacancies which have occurred; and the twelve Capital Burgesses still constitute a local corporate body of considerable influence and utility. The object of the Burgesses, as de- clared by the charter, was to maintain three ministers to assist the Vicar, to repair the Parish Church, bridges, and common ways; and to assist the poor and needy inhabitants. Almost the whole of the revenues~ however, became devoted to ecclesiastical purposes. Three ministers are still maintained to assist the Vicar. They are called chaplains. The funds are also devoted to the payment of sums for the chaplain at the Infirmarv. the sexton and organist at the Parish Church.&c. A gradual extension of the benefits of the funds is provided for by an order of Chancery obtained in 1854. In the time of Henry VIII. the estates realized Ł17 a year, which was divided amongst the three priests, one receiving Ł7 and the others Ł5 each. Now the estates are worth about Ł2,200 a year; and the chaplains are paid Ł400 a year each. The head of the body, called the Capital Burgess, is Mr. S. Roberts; and the Law Clerk is Mr. J. J. Wheat, solicitor, Paradise-square. .

THE CUTLER'S COMPANY.

This body was incorporated by Act of Parliament, passed in 1624, entitled " An Act for the good order and government of the makers of knives, sickles, shears, scissors, and other cutlery wares in Hallamshire, in the county of York, and parts near adjoining." The cause of the application for the Act we have already mentioned-namely, that the juries which were empanelled had not sufficient powers to regulate the trade. Accordingly, we find the preamble of the Act declaring that many of the cutlery workers refused to submit to the ordinances of the trade; that they persisted in taking as many apprentices, and for such a term of years, as they chose, whereby it was feared that the calling would be "overthrown ;" and that the workmen, owing to the ab- sence of proper authority, " are thereby emboldened and do make such deceitful, unworkmanlike wares, and sell the same in divers parts of the kingdom, to the great deceit of his Majesty's subjects and scandal of the cutlers of Hallamshire, and disgrace and hindrance of the sale of cutlery and iron and steel wares there made, and to the great impoverishment, ruin, and overthrow of multitudes of poor people."'

The Act provided that the cutlery manufacturers of Hallamshire and six miles round, should form a body corporate, to consist of a Master, two wardens, six searchers, and twenty-four assistant searchers. These were the executive of the body, the rest of the manu~acturers being included under the term " commonalty." Power was given to these officers to make such regulations as they thought proper for the management of the trade, and to inflict fines for the breaking of them. The Act directed that all persons engaged in the trade should make the edges of their goods only of steel, and that they should stamp them only with such marks as might be assigned by the Company. Such were some of the principal provisions of the Cutlers' Company, as originally constituted.

It seems to have been popular, for 860 manufacturers at once joined it. The Company passed regulations to a considerable extent more stringent than those formerly enforced by the juries. The " searchers" were empowered to enter houses for the purpose of seizing the " deceitful, unworkmanlike wares" which were so bitterly complained of. Rules for the restriction of the trade, so as to prevent it from being " overthrown" by the multitude of workmen, were rigidly carried out. The privilege of working at the cutlery business was strictly confined to freemen, of whom for a long time an average of only about thirty new ones a year were admitted. Various modifications were afterwards made by Act of Parliament; but no radical change was effected till 1814, when the system of freemen was found to check the progress of the trade to such an extent that an Act of Parliament was obtained rescinding it. By that Act the trade was thrown open to every one who might choose to engage in it. All the other powers of the Company, except that of granting and protecting msrks, were taken away. This continues to be the only privilege practically possessed by the Cutlers' Company; but it is still of great importance, and has materially assisted in aiding the growth of the large Sheffield firms which have obtained a worldwide reputation for their wares. By an Act obtained in 1860 the Company has been still further popularized, the benefits of it having been extended to steel manufacturers and makers of all goods with a " cutting edge." The income of the company is not very large, being about Ł800 a year. It has arisen principally from the fees for granting marks. Out of their funds, however, the Company have built their handsome Hall (which is de-scribed amongst the public buildings).

The annual festivity of the Cutlers' Company is well known. The " Cutlers' Feast" is noted not in Sheffield merely, but throughout the country, as an occasion on which members of the nobility are frequently present, and on which some of the most distinguished politicians of the country find an opportunity of expressing a public opinion on current events. We find that the Cutlers' Feast had become an important social gathering at an early period, for in 1682 several peers attended, while in 1771 there were present the Dukes of Norfolk, Devonshire, and Leeds, the Marquis of Rockingham, and the Earls of Holderness, Scarborough, Effingham, Bute, and Stafford, with several other peers and baronets. The dinner is given by the Master Cutler upon his installation in office, and the Company provide him with Ł105 towards the expense; but it costs a large sum besides, the " Feast," which may more properly be called a banquet, being in every respect of the most sumptuous and recherche description. The following curious document of the " settling up" of the Feast in 1749, shows in a remarkable manner the change in the social habits of Sheffield, in common with the rest of the community, during the last hundred years:-" Expenses of the Cutler's Feast:- Rump of Beef,8s. 4d.; six Fowls, 2s. 8d.; ham, 3s; pies and puddings, 2s. 6d.; hare, 1s. 6d.; loin of veal, 1s. 10d.; bread, 1s.; butter, 2s.; roots, 4d.; ale and punch, 20s. 7d.; dressing, 4s; Total, Ł2 2s. 9d. Collected by the Company,21s; paid out of stock, 21s.9d. Received contents in full by WILLIAM DIXON

. The Master Cutler at the present time is Mr. George Wilkinson, cutlery manufacturer, New Church-street; but the office is only held for a year, the election taking place in August. The Law Clerk is Mr. James Wilson, solicitor, East Parade. .

LIGHTING AND CLEANSING COMMISSIONERS.

This body is popularly known as the " Police Commissioners," or the "Improvement Commissioners;" but both these titles are now misnomers, as they have no such powers as these names imply. The Commissioners were established in 1818 by Act of Parliament, there being up to that time no corporate body vested with authority to raise money to light and cleanse the town, which were done by the Town Trustees. The Commissioners still retain the power of lighting and Gleansing; but the control of the constabulary which they formerly possessed has been transferred to the Town Council. Mr. John Jackson is Surveyor to the Commissioners; his offlces are at the Town Hall. The Law Clerk is Mr. W. Smith, jun., solicitor, Campo-lane.

.THE MUNICIPLE CORPORATION.

Though of modern origin, the Municipal Corporation is of course the most influential body in the borough. Sheffield was incorporated by royal charter in 1843. The Town Council is composed of a mayor, fourteen aldermen, and forty-two councillors. The borough is divided into nine wards, St. Peter's, St. George's, St. Philip's, Ecclesall, and Park, each of which returns six councillors, and Nether Hallam, Upper Hallam, Brightside, and Attercliffe, each of which sends three. The Town Council has no property like some old Corporations, and the whole of its expenses have to be raised by rate. The total sum expended yearly is about Ł14,000. Mr. John Brown (of the Atlas Iron and Steel Works) is Mayor. The Town Clerk is Mr. John Yeomans, whose offices are in Bank-street.

THE HIGHWAY BOARDS.

The Board for the repair of the roads in the township of Sheffield is elected annually, by the ratepayers. The offices are in Queen street. Mr. J. Wheatley is Clerk, and Mr. R. Chapman Surveyor. There are also separate Boards for the townships of Ecclesall, Nether Hallam, Upper Hallam, Brightside, and Attercliffe.

THE LAW COURTS.

The sittings of the Bankruptcy Court are held in one of the rooms at the Council Hall, usually before Mr. Commissioner West or Mr. Registrar Payne. The official Asisignee is Mr. George Young, whose offices are in St. James's-street.

The County Court possesses commodious buildings in Bank-street, which have been built specially for the administration of this branch of justice. There are a handsome and spacious court room and very convenient offices. The Judge is Mr. William Walker; the Registrars, Messrs. W. Wake and T. W. Rodgers; and the High Bailiff, Mr. Smilter, who has separate offices in Bank street.

Sheffield not possessing a Recorder and separate Quarter Sessions, its prisoners are tried at the West Riding Sessions which are held by rotation, (about twice a quarter), at Sheffield, Rotherham, and other places in the West Riding. The Court of Quarter Sessions is in Sheffield, held at the Town Hall, where also the local Magisitrates sit daily in Petty Sesisions. The Clerk to the Magistrates is Mar. Albert Smith, Castle-street.

THE POLICE FORCE,

Under the management of an energetic Watch Committee and a most intelligent Chief Constable, has become a well-trained and thoroughly efficient body. Besides the Chief Constable (Mr. John Jackson), there are a warrant officer, five detective officers, two inspectors, five sub-inspectors, eleven sergeants, and 162 constables. The principal Police Office is at the Town Hall. There is also a station in Tenter-street. The annual cost of the police force is about Ł11,000.

GUARDIANS OF THE POOR, AND WORKHOUSES.

The systematic method of relieing the poor which, under the New Poor Law, was adopted in place of the loose and unsatisfactory system formerly in use, has taken shape in this borough in the formation of two Unions those of Sheffield and Ecclesall Bierlow. Though comprising parishes or townships situated mainly within the borough, both Unions comprise a rural population. The Sheffield Union contains the townships of Sheffield, Brightside, and Attercliffe, within the borough, and Handsworth without. The Workhouse of the Sheffield Union, with the board-room for the Guardians, &c., is siituated in Kelham street. The buildings, which were originally used for a cotton mill, and were altered for Workhouse purposes, are situated in the heart of the town. A few years since, when the acommodation was found to be getting too scanty, a project was mooted for building a new Workhouse outside the town, and land was purchased at Darnall for that purpose. A public agitation was aroused, however, in opposition to the scheme, principally on account of its expense; the land was re-sold, and the existing Workhouse was altered and enlarged, at an expense of about Ł5,900. There are separate buildings for the children at Pitsmoor. There is also another establishment belonging to the Union, of a somewhat peculiar character. In 1849 the Guardians leased from the Duke of Norfolk about fifty acres of moorland, at Hollow Meadows, about six miles from the town, with a view of reclaiming it by pauper labour. Nearly the whole of the land has been brought under cultivation, and sub-let to farm tenants. The Farm, as it ifi called, is still retained by the Guardians, and a number of the able-bodied men who require relief in times of bad trade are Bent to labour at it. The undertaking has been so successful that at the time we write, (February, 1862,) the Guardian~ are in negociation for the leafiing of further land.

Ecclesall Bierlow Union is more agricultural than Sheffield, though even in this the larger part is urban. It comprises the townships of Ecclesall Bierlow, Nether Hallam, and Upper Hallam, within the borough, with Norton, Totley, Dore, and Beauchief, in Derbyshire.
The Workhouse is a handsome structure at Cherry-tree Hill, about two miles from Sheffield. It has cost altogether about Ł15,000. The total expenditure of the Sheffleld Union in the year ending March, 1857, was about Ł33,000. In the year 1861-2, (when there had been a winter of great commercial depression) the expenditure reached about Ł50,000. But in order to calculate the entire expenditure on the poor in the borough this year it is necessary to take into account the sum spent in the Ecclesall Union. In the same year more than Ł16,000 was expended in the Ecclesall Union, and, deducting Ł2,200 for the rural districts in the two Unions, this leaves Ł13,800 to be added to the sum expended in the Sheffield Union, making a total of more than Ł63,800 spent during the year on the poor of the borough. The sum spent in 1784 was Ł3,223. The Clerk to the Sheffield Guardians is Mr. J. Spencer, whose offices are in l~elham-street. The Clerk to the Ecclesall Guardians is Mr. T. Smith, and his offices are at the Workhouse at Cherry-tree.

This out of copyright material has been transcribed by Eric Youle, who has provided the transcription on condition that any further copying and distribution of the transcription is allowed only for noncommercial purposes, and includes this statement in its entirety.

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Last modified on: Sunday, 30 May 1999