Reminiscences of Rotherham
back « «Next came the shop of an eccentric old man named William Farnill, who carried on a mixed business, dealing in confectionery, toys, watches and jewellery - a curious combination. This shop, always popular with the younger generation, had in it a proprietor who was a greater curiosity than his wares.
His neighbour, Charles Searle, dealt in all kinds of leather goods, and supplied the boot and shoe trade with their requirements. Searle had an aggressive and ambitious nature; he seemed to delight in perpetual warfare with those in authority, When the town was incorporated he appealed for support as a candidate for the South Ward but failed to obtain a seat. A few years later he again offered his services and was elected, but only sat for twelve months. Joining Mr. Slinn, he started a small brewery in Market street, buying the premises then used as a flour mill, The brewery traded under the name of Slinn, Searle and Co.
The whole of the premises mentioned, that is, from the bottom of High street to Searle’s shop, were demolished some years ago, the site now being occupied by William Deacon’s Bank, Bank Buildings, and Henry Gough, Ltd. Next to Searle’s shop came the Black Horse, which has not altered much. In my boyhood days James Crowder was the landlord, and he and his son Harry were prominent members of the Yorkshire Dragoons. The premises of Messrs. Fieldsend, pawnbrokers, were occupied by the Golden Boot Co., the business being managed by William Boler, who later transferred his services to Messrs. Scales and Salter. Next came Mr. John Fawcett, the grocer, who removed from here in 1868 to the premises now occupied by the same firm.
We now come to Barker’s boot shop, and probably from the name of the proprietor originated that of 'Barker’s Yard', which is behind these premises.
A daughter of Mr. Barker at one time owned three houses in Moorgate terrace, the bottom one, although fully furnished, remaining tenantless for many years, and became known as the 'Haunted House', This lady frequently visited the house, it was said, to ruminate in the garden on what might have been. Whether this was true reason for keeping it tenantless - I cannot say.
LAWYER POTTER
Next to Barker’s resided Lawyer Potter in a large house, which he also used as an office. The entrance to the house was up a long wide passage, its portals being guarded by two lions in stone, These so terrified the youngsters that few, however venturesome or mischievous dared to ring the front door bell. Articled to Mr. Potterwas a son of the Medical officer of Health, , Junius Hardwicke, M.D. In one of his mischievous moods, along with a few other kindred spirits, he cut off the heads of those lions, explaining later to his master that the frost had caused them to break off.Next to Lawyer Potter’s, Mrs. Mather, a very precise and prim old lady, carried on business as a hatter. The first wedding I remember seeing with red druggeting laid in the churchyard was when her daughter married Mr. Bingham, a provision merchant in Westgate, I remember we thought it 'some' wedding, especially when we saw the churchyard thus decorated.
The Three Cranes Inn, approached by way of a wide entrance in High street, adjoined Mrs. Mather’s shop. Fronting this hotel were two shops, one occupied by the brothers Brettell and the other by John Law. The brothers Brettell were stationers. their shop being the principal one in the town for valentines, Both were cripples, and so short, that their heads only just reached above the counter top. Possessing abilities of no mean order, as became sons of the Unitarian minister, they carried on their business satisfactorily though suffering under great physical disabilities. After their removal to premises in Wellgate, this shop was tenanted by Bob Spendlove, butcher, and a former landlord of the Ship Hotel. There seems no reason to doubt that the side-door in Spendlove’s » next
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