Reminiscences of Rotherham
A Retrospect of over 60 years
GOOD OLD DAYS
John Hutchinson, the father of Edward Hutchinson, was one of my father’s first employers. At this period he carried on the business of a joiner and undertaker in premises in College street. behind Dodson’s, the ironmongers.
In those lays the wages for journeymen joiners for a week of sixty hours, amounted to the magnificent sum of eighteen shillings. It was not long before my father was promoted to the position of foreman, for which he received two shillings per week more than the other men. The standard of living for a man with a family on a wage of 22s, with flour as dear as at any period since, could not be very high. When I hear people grumble at their food I recall the time when we had meat once a week, and sometimes not even that. When bread and jam had to suffice for dinner, I never remember thinking we were badly done to; on the contrary we were grateful for what we got. I have often heard elderly people lament the departure of the good old days, but why, I never realised.
I have heard my father relate that he walked to Wath every morning to his work, and had to be there at 6.30 o’clock. When I think of the privations and sufferings he went through in his early days; of the long hours he worked in order to better himself and to save his children from similar privations, I see nothing to regret in the departure of the early Victorian era. Bad as times are, they are preferable to the fifties and sixties of the last century.
CROFTS
We resided in one of the four houses above the Vestry Offices. Moorgate street was then unknown. On this site stood a number of sheep pens, also a fold yard and the stables belonging to the Crown Hotel, which could be approached either from the Crofts or High Street. An archway with gates guarded the High Street entrance. On the right side of this stood the door to the hotel, in about its present position. On the other side were the vault and taproom adjoining the Crown stabling, whilst on the opposite side the back of the tallow chandlery of Thomas Wigfield, formed a boundary as far as the High House.
We used to have some fine fun in the hay chambers and barns. Scores of eggs laid by truant hens were to be found by those who looked for them. Unfortunately, when the soldiers were in billet here during the Election Riots of 1865 our treasure-trove was discovered. Our next door neighbour, R. M. Thompson, known amongst his familiars as Ready Money Thompson occupied the position of managing clerk to Henry Badger, solicitor, afterwards known as Badger and Rhodes, and now as Parker Rhodes and Co.
JOINERY
John Hill carried on a joinery business in a two-storey building, on the site now occupied by the Vestry 0ffices. He was not one of the most industrious of men, and, unfortunately, came to grief.
The business being for sale, Mr. R. M. Thompson suggested that my father should buy it. He proved himself a true friend by finding part of the money - an act of kindness never forgotten.
I remember a very narrow escape these premises had from disaster, when I was sent l by of the men for matches. I must, of course,test their efficiency, and having done so, threw one down in my carelessness, setting fire to the shop. I think the only parental hiding I ever had I got then, and it lasted.
SCHOOLDAYS
Private schools largely predominated in those days. I attended one in the Crofts, conducted by two sisters named Knowles, in the house now occupied by a dentist, situated at the head of the Three Cranes Yard. The elder of the sisters eventually married Tom Henderson who held a responsible position at the works of’ Guest and Chrimes. He was a prominent figure in local musical circles. Possessing a fine tenor voice, his services were in constant demand, few religious or charitable efforts being held without his aid. The other sister married James Foster whom everybody respected. He will he best remembered for the services he rendered to the Congregational body, for his ready aid to comfort and console with those in distress and as a man who practised what he preached. His wife and he were the leaders of the choir for many years. Both the ladies to whom reference has been made lived to hold prominent positions in the town, and their memory is still held in great respect. » next