And more
Below you will find:-
More of James Weston. |
More of James Weston of Yardley GobionAn excerpt from a piece of writing by Dorothy Warren about the Wharf at Yardley Gobion. In 1845 a Miss Sarah Wells was listed as the landlady of the pub. She gave evidence in a trial of three men accused of stealing a valuable mare from a Puxley farmer. According to the Northampton Mercury Sergt. Gwynns of Potterspury and Inspector Kirby of Towcester searched diligently in all directions and the mare was discovered hauling a boat of coals towards London. The police went by train to Boxmoor and awaited the arrival of the boat there, and arrested the men all from Deanshanger, two of whom were known to be desperate characters. Two were acquitted and the other transported for life. Miss Wells was in the pub until at least 1849. She was probably employed by James Weston who was listed in Kelly’s Directory of 1847 as farmer, landlord of the Packhorse, and wharfinger. By 1850 she had been replaced by Miss Hard or Hurd. In 1860 James Weston was sued in connection with a load of hay bought at Buckingham and delivered by boat to Yardley Wharf. The verdict was in his favour. The 1861 census shows John Weston aged 25, at the pub, described as victualler and farmer’s son, with housekeeper and carter living in. Frederick another son of James was running the Packhorse, with a younger brother and housekeeper. James and Emma the parents were living in a farmhouse soon afterwards demolished, on the land on which Elmstead and the Red House were afterwards erected, and sold by James, (35 below). In April 1862 James Weston advertised that he was leaving the Wharf and had for sale boat building plant, tools, 3 canal boats, 5 timber carriages, 3 carts, 2 waggons, etc. and household furniture.
Brenda Pittam 2007 |
THREE BROTHER AND THEIR INVOLVEMENT WITH THE WORKHOUSE
Brothers Joseph, Henry and James Weston, sons of Henry and Sarah (Sally) became involved in supplies and services to the Potterspury Union Workhouse situated in Yardley Gobion. On the first page of the first available Minute Book of the Guardians we see that Henry Weston was already supplying bread to outdoor paupers and bread and flour to the workhouse, receiving in excess of £60 for this quarter as well as supplying eggs and milk, adding another £10. In the ensuing few year there appeared fierce competition between him and Mrs Jemima Smith also in the village, a farthing a loaf making the difference between having their tender accepted for the next three months or not. The competition continued up until the early demise of Henry in 1854. At this time James was used by the workhouse as a carrier, then as a publican, as a supplier of ale &c. and later for supplying fat pigs and even potatoes, by the 1860s he was recorded as a butcher. Joseph appeared first recorded as a barber but later it was noted, for shaving &c.
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We have found a photograph that includes Gerald’s sister Beryl thanks to Sheila Leath, Hilda Horton, Marjorie Swain, Joyce Cave |
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THE STEAM PLOUGHING ENGINECharles Weston was the proud owner of two steam ploughing engines similar to the ones, which can be viewed at the Thurstford Collection in Thursford in Norfolk. I am led to believe that not only did he plough his own land but did contract work with them as well. I am not sure of the total period that they were used but someone who is 90 now, can remember seeing them in use so they were probably used up to the end of the1920s and maybe later, but I am sure someone will tell me. I have since been told by Geoff Warren that the Steam Ploughing engines were stored in the Barley Barns at Grafton Regis, these barns are now a house, situated on the right hand side as you go down towards the church, just before you get to the manor. See bottom picture for the actual model of his ploughing engines and a little of their history. Mr Weston also had a steam engine which was used for the threshing of the wheat etc. this was kept in Tarry’s barn until late 1940s, I understand that Mr. Billy Allen from Grafton was involved in its use and would come up to Yardley when it was no longer used and give it a polish. |
If you are interested in seeing pictures of this type of plough in use click here STEAM PLOUGH CLUB
Brenda Pittam 2006
2012 update
Information on the history of Charles Weston’s ploughing engines below was given to me at the end of 2008 by John Crawley founder of Bedford Steam Engine Preservation Society in 1956 ( John sadly died April 2011)
The engines were McLarens not the usual John Fowlers. The engine numbers were 1616 12 hp built 1919/1919 Record number BD 5869 (I imagine this is a database number) and 1617 12hp built 1918/1919 Record number BD 5670.
They were new to Thomas Booth & Son, Evenly, Northants on a date not recorded then sold to Midland Plough & Transport Company of Towcester. Then sold to Charles H Weston. They were scrapped either in 1955 the date in the record is indistinct.
Since I obtained this information and was not able to find out what happened to the engines I spoke to Les Dickens late of Yardley Gobion now living at Silverstone, he remembers riding one of the engines to Roade railway station with George Horton, seeing the chimney stack being folded down and it being loaded onto the train to go to Sheffield.
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