Illustrated Guide to Sheffield
Pawson & Brailsford - 1862

PUBLIC BUILDINGS, MONUMENTS, CEMETERIES, &c.

THE CUTLERS' HALL.

This is a handsome structure in Church-street, opposite the Parish Church. It is elegant and commodious within; but it has become too small for the wants of the company, and arrangements are contem- plated for reconstructing and enlarging it. The present building was erected in 1832-3, at a cost of Ł6,500. Outside are the arms of the company, which are the same as those of the London Cutlers' Company, though there is no connection between the two bodies. Underneath is the motto, " Pour parvenir a bonne foy." The sentence seems to have got corrupted, for the words mean nothing in their present shape. It has been suggested that the " a" should be changed to " ayez." In this form it might be read, as proposed, " To succeed in business take care and keep up your credit ;" or, perhaps, a better rendering would be, ~ If you wish to succeed, keep your word." The principal room is the dining-hall, in which the celebrated " Cutlers' Feasts" are held. It is an elegant apartment, and is also used for balls, lectures, &c. It is 80 feet long by 30 feet wide, and contains portraits of the Duke of Wellington, the Rev. Dr. Sutton (the late Vicar), and the first Lord Wharncliffe, by Briggs; *Bernard Edward, twelfth Duke of Nor- folk, by Pickersgill; the late Earl Fitzwilliam, by Hugh Thompson; Mr. Hugh Parker, by Poole; and Dr. Younge. In the vestibule are portraits of Mr. Thos. Hanbey, founder of Hanbey's Charity, the Rev J. Wilkinson~ Colonel R. A. Athorpe, and Mr. George Bennet; also busts in marble, by Edwin Smith, of the first Mayor of Sheffield, Mr. W. Jeffcock, of High Hazles; of James Montgomery, the poet; of Mr. S. Hadfield, the founder of the Hadfield Charity; and there is one, by Mr. Law, of the grandfather of the present Earl Fitzwilliam. There are also casts, from sculptured busts by Chantrey, of Sir Walter Scott, George Calming, James Watt, and Professor Lyon Playfair. In the reception and other rooms are portraits of the Rev. Joseph Hunter, the historian of Hallamshire, and Mr. Ebenezar Rhodes, author of " The Peak Scenery ;" and in the entrance-hall are busts of the Right Hon. John Parker and Mr. J. S. Buckingham, the first members returned by Sheffield to Parliament.

TOWN HALL.

This building, which is situated at the corner of Castle-street and Waingate, was erected by the Town Trustees in 1808, and was enlarged in 1833. It comprises a large court-room for the holding of the quarter sessions, and a smaller room for the petty sessions, with offices for the Chief Constable, cells for the prisoners, &c. It has, however, grown perfectly inadequate for the wants of the town. It is now rarely employed for large political or other town's meetings, which are com- monly held in the Temperance Hall, Townhead-street. The offices for the Chief Constable and other members of the police force, &c., are equally inconvenient. It is in fact with the utmost difficulty that the necessary business can be carried on in the building. The cells for prisoners are the worst of all. They are confined, partly underground, and most unhealthy. It is not unfrequent, when prisoners are Confined here for any length of time, pending the preliminary inquiry before the magistrates, for them to beg to be removed to the Wakefield House of Correction, in order to escape the discomfort and unhealthiness of the local prison. At the time we write a project has been set on foot in the Town Council for building a public hall which will provide for the wants of the town.

THE COUNCIL HALL.

This building, which is in Norfolk-street, was originally erected in 1762, and was intended for Assembly Rooms. It has, however, been leased by the Town Council, and the principal room has been adapted for the general meetings of that body. At the right, on entering, over the Mayor's chair, is a portrait of Mr. William Fisher, a local worthy, lately deceased; and at the other end of the room there is a portrait of Mr. Roebuck, M.P. Both are excellent likenesses. They are by Mr. Richard Smith. There are smaller rooms, which are used for various purposes, such as the Bankruptcy Court, bridge rate offices, &c.

MUSIC HALL.

The Music Hall is a stone building in Surrey-street, erected in 1823. It belongs to a company of proprietors, to whom Mr. Freemantle, High-street, is secretary. The large room will accommodate about 1,000 persons. It has recently been tastefully decorated, the walls being adorned with medallion portraits of eminent composers. There is also an organ. The ground floor is occupied by the Sheffield Library and the Literary and Philosophical Society.

TEMPERANCE HALLS.

There is a hall in Townhead-street belonging to the Sheffield Temperance Society. It was opened in 1856, having been built at the cost of about Ł2,500. The principal room is 81 feet long by 51 feet wide, and it will accommodate about 2,000 persons. There is also a commodious room underneath, in which smaller meetings are held. Considerable improvements have been made in the building since it was first constructed; and it is now commonly used for town's meetings, popular lectures, &c. There is also a Temperance Hall on a smaller scale in Barker-pool.

FREEMASON'S HALL.

This building, which is at the corner of Surrey-street and Eyre-street, was previously used for the Sheffield and Hallamshire Savings Bank; but on that institution being removed, in 1860, to Norfolk-street, the building under notice was purchased by the local Freemasons.

THE MARKETS

Sheffield possesses public markets of a very spacious and convenient character. The principal one is called the Norfolk Market Hall, but is generally known as the "New Market." It owes its origin to the liberality of the late Duke of Norfolk. It was opened at Christmas, 1851. It occupies the site of the old Tontine Hotel, which property was purchased by the Duke of Norfolk for Ł8,000. The entire cost of the erection, inclusive of site, was something approaching Ł40,000. It is built in the Tuscan style, of brick, with stone basements, quoins, and dressings. It is 296 feet long and 115 feet wide, and 45 feet high in the centre. There are six large entrance gates, two at each end and one at each side: the panels of those gates are handsomely ornamented with metal castings. The roof is of iron and glass, giving a light and pleas- ing appearance. In the middle of the building there is a handsome fountain of Italian design. The building is divided into stalls and shops, in which, beside fruit, vegetables, &c., a great variety of wares is sold. The engraving of the interior of the Norfolk Market Hall gives a good idea of the spaciousness of the building. A wholesale Vegetable Market is held on Tuesdays and Saturdays, on a piece of ground between the lower end of the Norfolk Market Hall and the Corn Exchange. Our artist has given a delineation no less faithful than graphic of the Market, including a view of the Norfolk Market Hall. The Corn Exchange is a handsome building immediately below the Norfolk Market Hall already described. It was opened in 1830. The New Haymarket is immediately adjoining; and the Cattle Market is near the Victoria Railway Station. The Shambles are a very commodious structure, belonging to the Duke of Norfolk. They have been entirely reconstructed, and now furnish a most convenient mart, principally for the sale of butcher's meat, but also, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, of poultry, &c. The building ranges from the back of the Post Office to the Old Haymarket, nearly opposite the front of the New Market Hall. On each side of the interior there is a range of shops for butchers, admirably ventilated and very convenient. The rebuilding of the Shambles gave an opportunity for the reconstruction of the shops at the lower end, facing to the Old Haymarket. These now possess very handsome fronts, as are shown in the engraving of them. There are corn and other markets held at Sheffield on Tuesdays and Saturdays. There are two Fairs in the year, one at Whitsuntide and the other in November. These Fairs are of considerable importance, and there are in connection with them markets for cattle, horses, cheese, &c.

POST OFFICE, &c.

The Post-office is a neat building opposite to High-street, and with the monument to Ebenezer Elliott immediately in front. The Stamp- office is St. James's-street, and the Inland Revenue offices are in Norfolk -street.

SHEFFIELD BARRACKS.

The barracks at Sheffield are amongst the very finest in the kingdom. They are situated on about 253 acres of land, between the Penistone-road and the Langsett-road, the front being to the latter thoroughfare. They are quite in the outskirts of the town, on a salubnous spot, and commanding magnificent views of the surrounding scenery. They were finished in 1850. The front to Langsett-road is a handsome and imposing stone structure. There is a neat chapel at one end. In this magnificent erection there is complete accommodation for a regiment of cavalry and an infantry regiment, and there are ample parade and drill grounds, &c. Popularly they are known as the New Barracks," though the site of the old building (on the same road, nearer the town) has been sold and cut up for building purposes, and only a small part of the structure formerly in use now remains. The accompanying sketch of the Barracks also gives an excellent delineation of the surrounding country, which, as seen from the rising ground adjacent to the buildings, is very beautiful. The viaduct which is visible on the left of the background, is a very picturesque adjunct- It is on the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway, which, on the road from Sheffield to Manchester, runs through some of the most beautiful scenery in England.

THE MONTGOMERY MONUMENT.

The memorial to James Montgomery, the poet, is of recent erection. It is not within the town, but is placed over his grave at the General Cemetery, which is in the suburbs. The monument is near to the Cemetery-road entrance to this picturesque burial-place, and the site of it commands a beautiful view of the surrounding scenery. It was opened in July, 1861. This interesting memorial was in a large measure the work of the Sunday school teachers and scholars of Shef-field, who thus testified in the most practical way to the actively religious disposition of the departed bard as well as to his poetic fame.

At the opening of the Statue there was a public procession in which the Town Council and all the local public bodies took part. The cost of the statue was Ł1,000. It was designed by John Bell, the eminent sculptor~ and cast in bronze by the Coalbrook ~ale Iron Company. It is a satisfactory work of art, and not unsuccessful as a likeness. The figure is in a standing posture~ with one arm encircling a book. The following inncriptions are on the pedestal:-

{FRONT.]
J A M E S M O N T G O M E R Y,
BORN
AT IRVINE, SCOTLAND,
November 4th, 1771;
DIED
AT THE MOUNT, SHEFFIELD,
(After a Residence in the Town of 62 Years)
April 30th, 1864
IN THE 83RD YEAR OF HIS AGE,
THE TEACHERS, SCHOLARS AND FRIENDS OF SUNDAY SCHOOLS
IN SHEFFlELD
Assisted by Public Subscription,
HAVE ERECTED THIS MONUMENT
IN MEMORY OF
THEIR REVERED TOWNSMAN,
MDCCCLX

[BACK]
H E R E L I E S I N T E R R E D,
Beloved by all who knew him,
TlIE CHRISTIAN POET,
PATRIOT,
AND PHILANTHROPIST.
WHEREVER POETRY IS READ, OR CHRISTIAL HYMNS
ARE SUNG,
IN THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE,
"HE, BEING DEAD, YET SPEAKETH,"
BY THE
GENIUS, PIETY, AND TASTE EMBODIED IN HIS
WRITINGS.

On the two sides are inscribed extracts from Montgomery's beautiful poems " The Grave" and " Prayer."

THE MONUMENT TO EBENEZER ELLIOTT.

The monument toEbenezer Elliott, "the Corn Law Rhymer~" is in the Market-place~ fronting the Post-office. It cost about Ł600, the amount being raised by public subscription. It was erected in August~ 1854. The artist was Mr. Burnard, of London. The figure is of bronze and the pedestal of granite. It bears no inscription but the word Elliott. The poet is supposed to be seated on a rustic bank in one of those spots he has so charmingly described in his works. Some account of the events in Elliott's life connecting him with Sheffield, and a similar sketch in respect to the poet Montgomery, Will be found in another place.

MONUMENT TO THE CRIMEAN HEROES

A monument is in course of erection to the memory of the Sheffield soldiersand sailors who died in the service of their country in the Russian war in the Crimea. The foundation stone was laid by his Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge. Though the work is not completed at the time we write, we are enabled, through the courtesy of Mr. G. Goldie, of London, the architect who has designed the monument, to furnish an engraving and description of it. The monument will be composed of Darley Dale stone and Aberdeen granite. The granite shaft will be 18 feet long, the total height of the monument being about 58 feet. The satue of Victoria, as " Honour," will be nearly 10 feet high. Mr. Henry Lane, of Birmingham, is the sculptor. The site of the monument is at the junction of Sheffield-moor and Union-street.
From Ł1,300 to Ł1,400 has been collected for the construction of the memorial. The engraving of the monument also gives a view of Sheffield-moor, one of the broadest and best thoroughfares in the town, and affords an idea of the picturesque glimpses of houses, manufactories, and hillsides, one above another, which are to be seen in almost every direction, looking towards the outside of the town

TIIE CHOLERA MONUMENT.

A neat and appropriate monument has been erected in Norfolk-road, opposite the Shrewsbury Hospitals, in memory of those who died in Sheffield from the ravages of the cholera in 1882, and who were buried on this spot. The disease raged from the beginning of July till the end of October. The numbers attacked were 1,847, of whom 402 diea. Amongst the victims was Mr. John Blake, the Master Cutler. The cross which commemorates the visit of the terrible malady was erected in 1884-5, the corner stone having been laid by Montgomery the poet in December of the former year.

DRINING FOUNTAINS.

A number of gentlemen have munificently come forward to erect drinking fountains for the use of the town. There is one in the Wicker, at the entrance to the Midland Railway Station, which is very handsome, and which was built by Mr. J. H. Sales, coal merchant, at a cost of about Ł200. The Town Trustees have erected one in front of the Town Hall in Castle-street. There is one within the Free Library building, given by Mr. Alderman Fisher. There is one at the head of Sheffield-moor, erected by Mr. John Brown, of the Atlas Iron and Steel works. There is one at the junction of Shalesmoor and Gibraltar- street, erected by Mr. Nadin, herbalist, Shalesmoor; and this fountain may be taken by the stranger as a guide to the business premises last occupied by Ebenezer Elliott, being nearly opposite to them. The teachers and friends of the Redhill Sunday Schools have erected a fountain in that locality; and there is also one given by Mr. Henry Levy, outside the Parish Churchyard, at the top of High-street.

CEMETERIES .

The burial grounds adjoining the churches having been most of them closed by the action of the Legislature, it has been necessary to construct cemeteries outside the town. There was, however, one in existence previously to the closing of the old grave-yards, namely, the General Cemetery, opened in 1836, by a company of shareholders, who had at that time expended on it about ~Ł13,000. It then Comprised about six acres, but in 1848 about eight acres more were added.
It is situated at Sharrow, in the suburbs of the town, on a very beautiful spot, and the Cemetery itself is most picturesque and tasteful in sppearance. There are two entranceg, one in Ecclesall-road and the other in Cemetery-road. There is a handsome church in the decorated style, with tower and spire, and also a chapel in the Doric order. Immediately under the wegt end of the church, in a circular space set apart for the purpose, is the grave of James Montgomery the poet, with the monument to his memory. The Rev. G. Sandford, M.A., is chaplain for the consecrated portion, and the Rev. W. T. Kidd for the uncon- secrated.

On closing St. Philip's Church in 1857, a new parochial burial ground was projected by the Incumbent at the further extremity of the parish, on the dry and picturesque acclivity which overlooks Birley Meadows and the vale of the Don. The area of this cemetery exceeds five acres. It has a neat mortuary chapel, and a lodge for the sexton and vestry office. It is approached by the old road leading from Neepsend by the Club Mill, and from Owlerton by a new road and bridge recently erected over the River Don. This burial ground was consecrated in 1859 by the late Archbishop of York.

The cemetery of the Brightside Bierlow district was constructed in 1859-60, on about 27 acres of land, verging upon Burngreave-road, Pitsmoor, and the Occupation-road. The cemetery was formed by the ratepayers, a Burial Board having been constituted for the purpose. The land cost about Ł5,400, and about Ł4,000 more has been spent in laying out the ground, building the necessary edifices, &c. The chaplains are the Rev. J. Aldous for the consecrated and the Rev. J. Jefferson for the unconsecrated portions.

A Burial Board was also formed for the construction of the Attercliffe cemetery, which is pleasantly situated and joins Christ Church, Attercliffe. It was consecrated August, 1859. It contains about four acres, and cost Ł1,332. The Board have spent a further sum of Ł968 in laying out the ground and building a neat chapel on the unconsecrated portion.

At Darnall a Burial Board has been formed and a cemetery opened. Its extent is six aeres, and there are a church and chapel attached. The cost of land, buildings, &c., has been about Ł1,600. The Rev. C. T. Wilkinson is chairman of the Attercliffe, and the Rev. W. L. Gibson of the Darnall, Board.

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.

Any references to, or quotations from, this material should give credit to the original author(s) or editors.

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Last modified on: Monday, 31 May 1999

Illustrated Guide to Sheffield Pawson & Brailsford - 1862