Reminiscences of Rotherham
prev « «OLD COACHMEN
From my recollection of them, the old coachmen of the gentry appeared to be men of far more dignity and importance than the chauffeurs of to-day. One cannot forget such men as Sprinthall, who drove the turn-out owned by Mr. James Yates; or Binns, coachman for many years to Mr. Richard Chrimes. A trio of those worthy men were Bilton, Hobson and Jubb, all living in the Crofts. The first-named drove for Doctor Ben Robinson, and kept the small grocers shop now in the occupation of Heber Houlgate. Hobson, coachman for Lawyer Potter, resided near the coach-house and stables in Snail Hill, and Harry Jubb, groom to Mr. Joseph Badger, lived in one of the cottages above the present vestry offices in Moorgate street.
Another well-known figure, Robert Winder, factotum for Doctor Edward Robinson, was thought to be a cross-grained and awkward man, but under his grim exterior beat a big heart. I remember him best as an Odd- fellow, a cause he had greatly at heart, and for which he did some real and valuable work. A favourite toast given by him at many of the festive gatherings of the Order is worth repeating
Here’s a little health, a little wealth, a little house, and freedom, and at the end a little friend and little cause to heed them. Here’s health to our wealth and money to our purse, but heaven to our soul and wishing us no Worse
Other well-remembered 'whips' of the past included Varley, employed by Mr. Henry Jubb, and Frost, coachman for Mr. William Owen. One cannot omit mentioning David Baldwin. groom for Mr.Geo. Haywood, who at the conclusion of some festivities at which his master attended, on receiving orders to bring the carriage round, replied , I took it home whilst I was able and the master must walk. All were clean, honourable and up right men, representing a type that disappeared with the introduction of mechani cally propelled vehicles, which up to 1896 had to be guided through the streets by a man with a red flag
MOTOR V CARRIAGES
The motor car is not yet made that can beat, for beauty and dignity, a good carriage and a pair of horses. There was a certain homliness and comfort about these which seems to have been left behind in these fast moving days. Splendid opportunities for becoming judges of what constituted a good turn-out presented themselves daily. A pair of splendid Cleveland Bays over sixteen hands high,pronounced by good judges of horseflesh to be the best in the country,harnessed to a drag or carriage, several times a week brought some of the family or household from Wentworth House into the town for shopping and other purposes. Yellow carriages of the Earl standing in front of the premises of some of our tradesmen used to be a familiar sight. » next