Popular History of Barrow-in-Furness, etc

Front matter

E POPULAR HISTORY OF BARROW-in-FURNESS. (THE ENGLISH CHICAGO) Incidents in its Rise and Progress, AND Curious Customs of the Old Inhabitants. BI JOSEPH FISHER. DEDICATED BY KIND PERMISSION TO THE WORSHIPFUL A. H. STRONGITHARM, Esq. MAYOR OF BARROW-in-FURNESS, 1890-91 BOURNEMOUTH : ;. J. Frampton, Artistic and Commercial Printer, 5, Town Haj-l Avenue. C1f9 C/Q J -hcJOINER,** v anb lUnbertaker. v y> FUNERALS * * * * COMPLETELY * * * F U S*NI SEE E 13. CHURCH STREET, BARROW-IN-FURNESS. Residence: 44, GH^^g^TREET. ** I n E> E X . *♦

Part I

Chapter Page 1. — Commences this History and should be read 5 II. — Our Ancestors in 1830, and something about them ... ... ... ... II III. — The Last Chapter Extended, with Additions ... ... ... 20 IV. — Trade of the Early Inhabitants, and some Curious Customs 30 V. — Ships, Shipping, and Anecdotes connected therewith 41 VI. — Races, Sports, and Curious Pastimes ... 52 VII. — Our Blood Red Mines ... ... ... 62

Part II

I. — The Furness Line and its Founders ... 72 II. — The Railway Commences — an Important Arrival at last ' ... ... 83 III. — Early Workers and Extensive Developments ... ... ... ... ... 96 IV. — Discovery and Particulars of some of our Most Important Iron Ore Mines ... 113 V. — Brings us to the Rattle and Din of our Principal Manufactories, and a Tribute of Respect to a Departed Pioneer 128 VI. — Heavy Speculations, Unlimited Confidence, and a Pull Up ... ... ... 140 VII. — Ships, Shipping, and Ship Building ... 157 VIII. — Shows Prosperity Again, and Closes this History. ... ... ... ... ... CASE & CQ WINE AND SPIRIT MERCHANTS, anb Brewers, UEVERgTO.Fl -►-**♦ -MCJN- HJ^D BKRROW. SOLE AGENTS FOR WluiT)T)<z3S <|> fe®, s Bublir) Extra ©sous. PRICE EIST& Ojq ÆPPkieXTIOJ^. #*■ FROM IS30 TO 1847. POPULAR HISTORY of BARROW-in-FURNESS.

PART I. CHAPTER

I. commences this history and should be read. EVERY town can boast of a history, as well as every country, and every history that may be written about the smallest town, or the most extensive country, will be in some respects imperfect. Incidents completely ignored, subjects passed over, considered of little importance, and information of a character deserving of introduction to the public, may be left in oblivion, as unworthy of recording, by one historian, whilst another may fill up the void, clothe the blank with life and interest, and give considerable prominence to many things that have previously been omitted, and recover some particulars, anecdotes, and customs that were in danger of being lost, which are well worthy of being retained and remembered. The desires of individuals cannot be calculated upon to any great exactness, even by the closest observation.

Though you may have been acquainted with a friend for a number of years, still your knowledge of his requirements will be neither complete nor perfect. You will not understand all his wishes, his hopes, or his ideas, and his views upon different subjects, his opinion upon matters that spread themselves out before him will frequently be at complete variance with your own. It is well that in human beings there is this great divergence of ideas and vast difference in their requirements on the same, and it may safely be said on all subjects, as we have given to us through this difference the greater scope for our powers and variety in our expressions and information. What particulars one history may fail to possess, another will probably contain, and what may please one person will but serve to gain the displeasure and frequently the sarcasm of another.

The result is that we have many histories written upon the same subject, and all are to some extent possessed of the greatest interest, and prove a source of in struction to some people, if not to all. It is only my entire belief in the different ideas and requirements of humanity, that persuades me there is still an opening for another History of Barrow, and that there is still an opening for the presentation of informa tion still new to the public, and that there are still some people who may be interested in what I have to give them in this book, a small portion of which has already been placed before the public. How much more reliable is the opinion of the enlightened public in open council, to the opinion of the narrow prejudiced mind of a single individual who sits shut up in his closet, at home, and alone.

If the public condemn a man for any offence against the laws of the country, of whatsoever nature it may be ; or should they condemn a book, be it a novel or a history, or a book of any character whatever, there is a placid satisfaction in knowing it is the voice of the public that condemns and not a solitary individual who may but possess the least fringe of intelligence, and who may be incapable of even exercising what little common sense he has become possessed of, except for the meanness of bringing about his own narrow minded views and parsimonious ends ; such a person is a despicable creature. This History has been compiled from various sources, but principally from particulars received from and gathered together by Thomas Fisher, who is well known in Barrow and the surrounding district, he having been born in Barrow, and is now 72 years of age ; also I am indebted to Mr. R. Fletcher for information gained from a valuable record of cuttings, cut from local papers and arranged in scrap book form, of important events taken place in connection with the town, covering a number of years, which embrace a period, the most important in the town's history.

For the formation of this book, the necessary information has been in course of collection for some considerable time, and having had it placed at my disposal and command, it has been arranged and put in order for publication after some difficulty and a con siderable amount of labour. It is not written with the hope of reward, but rather that light, more light may be given to the people on some subjects connected with the town and some of the distinguished people who assisted to form it. Having perused two of the Histories that have gone before, the conclusion arrived at was to the effect that many matters of an interesting nature had been left untouched by them, which was one of the factors that have induced me to take the subject in hand ; but it has not been taken up without some anxious con sideration as to whether the inhabitants of the town and district could be induced to take some interest in it, and give that support which is necessary for the success of an undertaking of this description.

After some delibera tion a determination was formed to proceed, as he who waits to venture till positive of success may live a lifetime waiting in despair. In dealing with the subject before me, I have considered it best to divide it into )■• chapters, and likewise into two parts. The first part will cover a period WHICH COMMENCES AT 1830 and concludes about 1844. This will embrace very little connected with the advancement of the town, but will give some information regarding Iron Ore Mines and their opening up, and so present the original cause that changed the bottom picture of the frontispiece of this book into the upper picture in the circle above — which has been drawn to represent the sun, with the lower part still hidden below the horizon, indicating that the town has not yet reached its noontide of development, and there are still hidden below the horizon industries that will be developed, brought to light, and assist to bring what has already been started and put in progress, to a still greater success in the future ; and also will include descriptions of the habits, customs, and some anecdotes of the old inhabitants, which are of an amusing and interesting character.

The people that resided in Barrow long before the industries of the district were opened up, or the outside world had peeped in at the village nestled on the shores of the Barrow Channel (a pretty place in its earlier days) are not without interest to the peoDle of the present day. Some amusing anecdotes and tales still cling to them, which in the course of the history will be presented for perusal. This will give less tedious reading for the public to contend with, and I consider will add somewhat to the interest of the history. The date 1844 for ending the first part is chosen simply because the Railway construction commenced that year. The many incidents embraced between the above dates should prove entertaining to a large number of readers, and the plan and style adopted here in placing information in a clear, concise and orderly manner, will give greater satisfaction — I have the vanity to express — than the style adopted in the two previous histories.

The second part will run from the year 1844 to 1890; this will embrace many particulars that have not come under the observation of the public before, bearing upon incidents connected with and the early development of the most important mining industries of the district, from the personal recollections of one who was undeni ably in the thick of the early battle that was fought in advancing the village of comparative obscurity to the world-wide known town now being written about, and the inhabitants of which are now reputed to number about 60,000 people. Having the personal recollections of one who was closely connected with some of the early explorers for iron ore, for a basis to work upon, I am placed in a position to give minute and interesting particulars of some of the enterprising and energetic men, who suc ceeded in pushing aside the many and formidable obstacles that confronted the small village struggling into existence.

The advancement and development in building and other industrial works will come under notice in the second part. It will necessarily be a brief, but still careful and explicit description, which can only be given in an abridged history of this nature. Every endeavour will be however made to give all information in a popular and interesting manner — reliable, concise and correct — of many of the important events which have assisted to expand the trade and business of the town, and which has resulted in such an enormous development of its resources. No one with truth, can deny that the town with all its ups and downs, is not worthy now, by its important position, of the efforts and energy of the enterprising men, who in its early days sought out its hidden minerals in the bowels of the earth, and in the face of many reverses still pushed onward towards the success which ultimately rewards the industrious.

You will not be furnished with monuments of figures, which prove somewhat bewildering to many readers. Only what is necessary to clearly explain any particular business will be introduced as each development is presented in its proper order. Having given some particulars of the purpose to be achieved and also the manner it has been decided to proceed, the subject will be introduced in its practical form, which will be work of a congenial nature to me, if I succeed in establishing in the mind of the reader a truthful and interesting record, written without fear or favor, being animated throughout with the simple idea of writing about events and men as they are, and as they were, in as an attractive and interesting style as the writer can command.

Chapter II. Our Ancestors In

1830 AND SOMETHING ABOUT THEM. \|/HE commencement of this History, as already stated conveys the reader back to the year 1830, being sixty years back from the days we are at present living in. But a small number of persons are left amongst us whose memory will carry them back so far, still there are some who can remember the inhabitants at this date, and on good authority the number, including children is placed at 130 people, who were in possession of the land and habitations at this date. Below is given a list of the names of the inhabitants of the village at the date mentioned above, which has not been introduced here without careful examination, which may consequently be taken as correct, and may be of some usefulness in conveying to the reader some of the old names of the original village ; ah ! yes, and where are they now ?

Many of them gone, aye gone for ever, afar off over the sea, over the land, and over the bourne from whence they will not return. Occasionally here and there, scattered about the town, may be seen a sign-board or two, with a name written thereon, notifying to the observer the existence of a few of the old people. Generally speaking however, they have been swallowed up amongst the influx of new names that have been introduced, one or two old names only, still looming out here and there, landmarks of a past age that is gone, never to return. Thomas King, farmer. The farm stood on the site of the new street that has been recently made, connecting Duke Street with Dalton Road and Church Street. The present Free Trade Hall occupying the position of the barn attached to the farm, and the Bull Hotel is built on the site of the granary, one of the outbuildings of the same place, all now destroyed.

William Harrison, farmer. The farmhouse was con nected with Mr. James Tyson's brewery, recently pulled down to make way for the High Level Bridge and the new Burlington Hotel. William Fisher, yeoman farmer. This farmhouse is still in existence, and stands in Dalton Road, about opposite the present Albion Vaults. Joseph Fisher, farmer, maltster, lime burner, coal dealer, iron ore merchant, &c. This farm was situated between Fisher Street and the new street connecting the bottom end of Duke Street with the Strand, and standing opposite the most northern part of the Higher Grade School. The farm is now completely destroyed. John Hartley, grocer — shop situate top of Fisher Street, just joining on to Dalton Road. Betty Barker, grocer — shop situate at the top of Burlington Street, part of the New Post Office now built on the site.

Tom Gibson, blacksmith — cottage, &c, situate behind the Old Ship Inn. John Smith, — Shop situated in the position where the enlarged King's Arms now stands. Thomas Haslam, tailor, Thimble Hall — house stood opposite the Devonshire Hotel, in a line with the present corn mill. This house has also fallen under the hammer of the destroyer. John Parker, publican, the old Ship Inn (pulled down), situated behind the present Burlington Street post office, and in recent years occupied for a considerable time by Mr. Abraham Thompson. Betty Harrison, of the Burlington Arms. This house has also disappeared with the rest, having now merged into the imposing Burlington Hotel on the High Level Bridge. John Fisher, gentleman, Ivy Cottage. This cottage still stands below the xMbion Hotel, going down towards the Ship Hotel.

Even in those far away times it seems there was in Barrow one of the greatest acquisition of modern times — that is to say, a gentleman. There must be some doubt as to the origin and true meaning of this word, it bears so many interpretations. Captain Barrow, shipping agent to Harrison, Ainslie, & Co., pilot, schoolmaster. Matthew Dixon, iron ore shipper, fisherman, and pilot, lived in an old one-storey thatched cottage, standing where Sand Area is now, built in Dalton Road, below Ivy Cottage ; now disappeared. William Atkinson, labourer, occupied a small cottage behind Mr. Higson's shop, in Dalton Road. He was generally called " Wicked Will." ' William Atkinson, labourer, shipper of ore, &c, for Kennedy & Co. He was no relative of the above William Atkinson. He was generally termed " Civil Will."

Robert Thexton, labourer, occupying one of the cottages in Church Street opposite William Fisher's corn store, still standing. Robert Dixon, labourer, occupied the next cottage as above-described, and still standing. Thomas Woodburn, farm labourer, lived in a cottage behind Mr. Fisher's house in the Farm-yard Cottage, now pulled down. James Simpson, butcher, of Butcher's Alley — house still standing, back from Dalton Road. Peggy Creary, bread baker, occupied a cottage top of Burlington Street, cleared away to make room for the High Level Bridge, &c. Thomas Hodgson, coastguard, occupying a cottage next to Peggy Creary in Burlington Street, pulled down with the rest. The last name given finishes the list of the inhabitants of Barrow about the year 1830, and including children as previously remarked, did not number more than 130 people.

Some of those who were children at that time are now men and women growing old amongst us, and may probably be able to vouch for the correctness of the list given above for the instruction of the reader. There is now at the date this history is being written STILL ONE MAN ALIVE out of the number mentioned above, whose name is *Robert Thexton, and who has now arrived at the good old age of 90 years, and is at present a resident in Barrow. In his youth he stood 6 feet 6 inches high, and though all through his life he has been continually wedded to hard work he is still enjoying good health. He is very fond of his tobacco, and at the present day is as fondly attached to a chew as ever he was. He is still constitutionally strong, but he has not escaped a sorrowful affliction, as about two years ago lie became blind.

Until this sad calamity age had laid but a light hand upon him. Light, more light while life lasts, let us see the light. God's greatest gift to us poor creatures here below. God's love and kindness gave this gift to gaze upon his noble works ; then snatch it not away in our old age, when most required to guide our feeble footsteps towards thy throne. The only houses standing at the present time com plete are Wm. Fisher's farmhouse in Dalton Road (father of the late Richard Fisher, farmer, who has recently died at Ulverston, and who occupied the farm after his father's death) ; the Ivy Cottage in Dalton Road ; the two cottages opposite Mr. \V. Fisher's corn store in Church Street ; and one or two cottages in Butcher's Alley. * Died since this was written. An extensive business in the malt trade was carried on by J. Fisher at the old malt kiln (now exterminated by the High Level Bridge), which was situated close to Newland Street, besides which he was connected with the Iron Ore trade, in partnership with his brother.

One or two of the oldest inhabitants will not have forgotten the late Mr. R. Cornthwaite, of Cocken Farm, who worked at this malt kiln when he first came to Barrow. He derived some amusement from the boys who were engaged picking the dust and accumulations out of the pin holes in the tile floor of the kiln. He was possessed of a big leather shovel for the purpose of beating the tiles to clear away the dust. He also made good use of it on the boys picking out the pin holes. Watching his opportunity, when the boys were in a favourable position, he deftly brought down his shovel on them, sending them flying about grinning and rubbing themselves, and very much dissatisfied with his attentions — there was only one in it and the boys didn't like it, at least, one of them who got this treatment and who is alive and amongst us yet, and likely to be, considers that the game was a little one sided.

The lime kiln, where the process of lime burning took place, was situated in the Strand about 20 yards further east than the Royal Hotel. The lime burning done at this Kiln was eventually given up, when the lower part of it was occupied by Thomas Ormandy, butcher, who killed his sheep in it. After he gave it up, it was occupied by Mr. Kirkby, who turned it into a Shoemaking establishment, and got through some business there. The occupation of this kiln by Mr Kirkby came under discussion some time ago, which resulted in a wager as to the truth of his tenancy of this establishment before its demolition. At this time and this place there was a high cliff about 40 feet high, which ran round from the present Royal Hotel to the Queen's Arms, in Rawlinson Street. This embankment was grown over with whin bushes, which formed a cover for a large number of rabbits.

Some of the inhabitants derived both pleasure and sport from the rabbits located here, large numbers being in possession of the holes in the cliff. They were shot, trapped and otherwise destroyed. In reading the list of names of the residents, the name of " Wicked Will " as attached to William Atkinson may have struck you as being somewhat peculiar. I could never find out why this expression was tacked on to William, but have good cause to believe that it conveys a very imperfect idea of his nature and character, as he was far from being steeped in wickedness, as the nature of his title might naturally convey to the reader. Certainly HE HAD A WEAKNESS which is in sympathy with many people of the present generation, of the past, and likely to be of the future. He was fondly attached to John Barleycorn, otherwise there was but little difference between him and others.

He was blunt of expression, outspoken but straightforward, and if the world was packed with more people of this description, it would not suffer but would greatly benefit thereby. "Civil Will" asjattached to the other William Atkinson (they were no relation to each other) was gained by him for his civility to all who, came in contact with him, it was natural to him and consequently sat well upon him, it was not of that forced character that we frequently see in the present day, of a superficial nature, it was his possession by natural right, he was sound at the core. Peggy Creary is one of those who must help to fill up this history. She was a motor of great importance when the writer of this history was a boy. Peggy besides being a baker of the " staff of life," provided a luxury for the boys, which was urgently sought after by them, in the shape of toffy.

None of your short sticks of the present day about six inches long, but something of a good substantial nature reaching a foot in length, which gave a youngster something to do before he got it properly melted. Peggy in past days had to put up with some annoyance from the bad boys, who were a nuisance at that time as well as at the present. But then you know, as the old expression puts it, " boys will be boys," and a little life in a boy is much better than that snivelling quietness which attends upon the petted and nursed and weakly ones only. One of their games, or what they considered larks, was to quietly get two or three big stones, as much as they could lift and carry along, and place them against the doors of one of the villagers, keeping a vigilant look-out at the time their capers were in progress.

They then gave a knock at the door, and when the occupier opened it, in fell the lot with a crash. The boys, where were they ? why watching the effect from a safe position, their grinning faces peeping round the corners of the houses round about. They were a great annoyance to Peggy Creary, and when they dis covered Peggy was busy making toffy, the young scoundrels wttuld quietly creep up to the house, their pockets full of pebbles, and begin throwing them up to the chimney tops, trying to drop them down the chimney into the toffy, and frequently succeeded in this little game, which resulted in the pebbles occasionally dropping into the toffy pan and spoiling the lot. One prominent trades man in the town could be mentioned, who in past years distinguished himself in the above games, and though getting on in years now, is still hale and hearty, and will doubtless remember some of the freaks and pranks of his youth.

A little story or anecdote has been handed down about John Smith, shoemaker, which is given below. John was well known by the inhabitants of the village and the surrounding district to be a steady and industrious man. He kept close to his work all through the year, with the exception of a couple of weeks during the festivities of Christmas-tide. On all other occasions, during working hours he could be found sitting on his stool BUSY WITH HIS AWL AND WAX ENDS. Evidently he had heard the old saying that " all work and no play makes John a dull boy." So he made a regular habit at Christmas to take a couple of weeks' holiday and spend it at Ulverston, where he gave way to habits of a nature both bad and pernicious, such as drinking and card playing, and kept the candle burning well, carrying on in a manner totally inconsistent with the eleven months and two weeks good character previously borne throughout the year.

On one occasion, John, after playing cards and drinking for a full fortnight concluded it was about time to return home and put in another eleven months and two weeks hard work. So off he started, and got along very well till he arrived near the Manor Farm where he came to a sudden stand still, and saw a sight that made his hair stand on end, so strong and straight, that his hat followed suit and rose with the hair. As he stood there trembling from head to foot, he espied a man black as midnight, with two horns and a long tail, also a little round table, a vacant chair, and last of all a pack of cards laid out invitingly on the table. Report says this black man's tail was cocked up, and he also had a wooden shovel, so doubtless before taking up his position in the road side he had been " digging taties in the garden."

However, this point will not be dis cussed at present. This black man or otherwise the Devil, to call him by his proper name (at least that is what John Smith took him to be), called out and asked him to sit down and have a hand at cards with him, giving his hand a wave at the same time in the direction of the seat and cards. John, however, was much too discreet a man to make the acquaintance of so enter prising an individual, and as he declined the devil's invitation, he was concocting in his own mind which was the best way to escape. He had no desire for any further acquaintance with him, and having told him so in as brief and polite a manner as he could under the circumstances command, turned tail, started off like lightning, and sped away from the ugly monster with all the speed he could make, never looking behind once, or stopping till he arrived home, where his scared looks attracted attention, and he told the tale as written here.

John after this, never played another game at cards, and also resolved not to repeat his visits to Ulverston at Christmas time, and he kept his resolve, gave up card playing, and never went to Ulverston again. And so is presented to you another practical illustration of the old saying " Out of much evil cometh great good."

Chapter III. The Last Chapter Extended With Additions

fsfAPTAIN BARROW was shipping agent to Messrs. 1=) Harrison, Ainslie & Co., he was likewise a pilot, schoolmaster, and who also acted as a medium and centre to whom inhabitants of the village and places around brought their letters, which he gave up to the postman, who took the letters away with him to Ulverston in the evening, and as there has been a few remarks made about the OLD ORIGINAL POST OFFICE BUSINESS that existed at this time by a local paper recently, a few additional particulars may prove of some interest to the readers of this history. Captain Barrow acted as post master for a number of . years. Being trusted and respected by the inhabitants of the village and district. letters were deposited by them with him. This business he undertook and followed up as an act of kindness and accommodation.

He received no salary, official or otherwise. He occupied a cottage at the end of the old Ship Inn nearest the High Level Bridge. An old and well-known resident remembers Mrs. Barrow being very particular as regards the licking of postage stamps when placing on the letters, he very often doing this part of the business for her, she having a great dread of catching some ailment through applying the stamp to the tongue, and always instructed him to damp the envelope first and apply the stamp afterwards. This small but important manner of at taching the stamp to the envelopes as carried out by Mrs. Barrow gives ample proof that she was a person of some observation, her example might with advantage be followed by those who have to stamp numbers of envelopes in the course of business. The letters that were deposited during the day with Capt. Barrow, were called for in the evening by the postman, who was called Tommy Shaw.