THE WAKES.

the villagers and visitors sat with tankards of ale and talked over the good old days and things that had occurred since they last visited the village. They then visited the Church and other places that reminded them of former days. Sports were indulged in, and the people had a regular "good wakes". Fights were a very common occurrence, but the rough sports that were indulged in formerly, are now abolished.

A correspondent informs us that a noteworthy antiquary was once on a visit to a relative not far from the Dale Mouth. He was awakened by a great noise, and on opening the window he saw the Dale Bottom was alive with people, interested in bear baiting. About the same time he saw a miller carrying an empty sack, and a sweep with his bag. They were engaged in an encounter, and at the close it was a matter of speculation which was the sweep and which the miller.

ROADS IN THE COACHING DAYS.

A Mounting Block is still to be seen on the premises.

At this period Middleton was a posting town, and there was no nearer station than Whaley Bridge or Chesterfield, so relays of horses were kept at the Old Moon Inn. "Lucy Long" and the Market Coach used to make the journey to Sheffield every Tuesday and Saturday, via Calver, Baslow, Owler Bar; carriers' carts also ran on these days. These were driven by Messrs. Peter Elliott and James Hallam.

The old TOLL BAR stood on the Bank near the Cliff Bottom. Owing to the death of a little child, who was knocked down by one of the coach horses, near Mill Street, a new road was opened about 1840. This was made by the Peak Forest men, who used jumpers for boring. It necessitated the removal of the Stag's Head premises and the inclusion of part of the grounds occupied by the Mill Dam, known as the "Lomb". It was opened by Lord and Lady Denman, who first rode through in their carriage. Dr. Pegge's M.S. in the College of Arms says: "The hill in this town is so steep that when Mr. Ashton was High Sheriff of Derbyshire in 1664; he had no coach, and the Judge asked him why he did not bring one. He replied, "There were no

It is often asserted by the older residents that the old stage coach used to go up the Town Gate, and one can still follow the track it appeared to take up the "Mostyn Knoll" and over Longstone Edge, ere the road through Eyam Dale was thought of. When the pipes were being laid for the water supply in 1902, the blue washed walls of a cottage and fireplace were discovered in the middle of the roadway in the Dale, near the Smithy, and about 30 years ago the ruins of a lime-kiln stood in the middle of the road near the end of the boundary wall of Rock Cottage. It is evident that the road must at one time have peen much narrower than at present. Indeed it may have been a mere bridle or pack saddle road. These were branch roads traversed only by a saddle horse. One of these went from the Ball to Longstone, and a gate took the place of a stile. When the first Lord Denman was an under-graduate he paid a visit to Derbyshire. The first entry is dated Saturday, July 14th. 1798. Writing from Stoney Middleton he says: "On Thursday morning I left London on the Derby coach, and, after a journey which I did not think very pleasant, arrived at New Haven yesterday before two. I then came across the country to this place in a post-chaise."

NOTABLE PERSONS LIVING IN MIDDLETON.

WM. CAPPS was a gentleman of herculean strength. He was a wrestler, and invariably overthrew all comers. He was never thrown, nor ever known to fall. Many dashing feats of his superior horsemanship are still recorded. He was a great favourite with all who knew him, and died a bachelor. Only this remnant of his monument remained until the restoration in 1861:-

In Memory of Wm. Capps
Gentleman
of
Stoney Middleton
Who died Jan. 24, 1703.

He was interred in the nave of the Church of Stoney Middleton. A mural monument of slate was erected, and above a white marble effigy of Capps on horseback. Owing to the delapidated state of the Church, the nave was taken down and rebuilt in 1758-9. The monument of Capps. was removed and placed outside on the wall in front of the new building. The action of the air disintegrated the statuary marble, and in 1861 a "Restoration" of the Church took place, and the slab offended the public taste, and the last remnant of this handsome monument of the gallant, generous, and honoured Capps was cast to the ground. Furness in scornful tones, says: "Most probably it will be utilised should any modern Vandal require a flagstone for his pigstie". (Mr. Peter Furness in the "Reliquary" of 1863-4.)

THE RAGGS, or Wragge, were a noted family of Stoney Middleton and Eyam. At Eyam their residence was called Rag House, and the field adjoining it was "Rag Garth" or Rag Croft. Matthew, second son of Richard Furness, of Eyam, married Ann, only daughter of Dennis Ragge, of the Bank, Stoney Middleton, who had a farm under the Morewoods of Alfreton. He afterwards went to reside at Stoney Middleton at Ragge's farm, and from him the Furness's of Middleton Bank are descended. The marriage must have taken place sometime about the year 1600 or immediately afterwards. James Furness, late of Sheffield and Middleton Bank, and the wife of Mr. Peter Furness, Eyam, were descended from this marriage. He purchased the principal part of the Morewood Estates which Rowland Morewood obtained by his marriage with Katherine, daughter of Humphry Stafford. By a will dated May 2nd, 1808, he left a sum of money to the poor widows and Sunday school at Eyam. The late Rev. John Furness, author of a "Life of Solomon", an able controversialist, who died about 1837, also belonged to this family. George Furness, born at Middleton Bank, one of the contractors of the gigantic undertaking of the Thames Embankment was also a descendant. Dennis Ragge would be a collateral relation of the Furness family, and would either be a grocer, miller, or tallow chandler. These

The following names are to be found in the Parish Register at Eyam relating to the family of Ragg:-

Alice Ragg named above is buried beneath the floor of one of the residences of Mr. Peter Furness, of Eyam. The grave-stone inscribed to her memory is underneath the floor. It was boarded over about 1837. The following is the inscription on the gravestone, which is but one of the many sadly interesting memorials of the Plague of Eyam:-

Alice Ragg was
BVRIED the 23 Oct:
Ano Dni: 1665.

In the inscription itself the "A" and "l" in Alice and "w" and "a" in was in the first line, and the "the" in the second line are conjoined. (Llewellyn Jewitt in the "Reliquary" of 1867.)

MR. PETER FURNESS, of Bank House, Middleton, was the son of Samuel Furness, and brother of Richard Furness, schoolmaster of Dore. He was a man of considerable taste and mental acquirements, and his letters indicate an educated and well-informed mind. He assisted Dr. Calvert Holland, of Sheffield, in compiling the "Life and Writings of

The poet, Mr R. Furness, writing in 1857, the year in which he died, to his brother, Mr. P. Furness, of Stoney Middleton, then on a visit to London, expressed a wish that the change might restore Mrs. Furness to perfect health. He exclaimed: "'Health', that one word, is a jewel, and will be most highly esteemed by those who have lost it. Truly we perceive the blessing more by the want of it than by its enjoyment."

He lived at "The Bank House". The visitor would be surprised at the lavish way in which the interior has been fitted up.

A Sun-dial still stands in the garden as it did in former days.

RICHARD HANDLEY was a shoemaker, and probably occupied the post of sexton. When asked his age, even at 80, he was always 75. He has left one specimen of his handiwork in the form of a looking-glass set in the mantel piece in the house at the corner of Vicarage Lane. He made a pretty house of cork and exhibited it in the window. He was an inveterate card player, and on one occasion when the parson visited him he called out, "Full up".

Richard was a keen sportsman, and upon one occasion Lord Denman encountered him at the top of Booth Hole. After enquiring the direction which the hounds had taken, his lordship remarked, "Well, Dickie, you've got your leggings on." "Yes, my lord", replied Handley. "Its to keep the dust out of the lace-holes".

RICHARD GORDON was the village sexton and sweep. He was a diligent Sunday School teacher, but his imperfect education was a menace to his usefulness. When the children reached a difficult word, he would call out, "Call it Manchester".

CORNELIUS CHAPMAN lived in a house in Chapman's Croft. For many years he worked at Calver Cotton Mill, sold barm, and was, also, the village Pounder, and took charge of the pinfold with his wife Mary. Upon one occasion he fastened up some sheep in the pound, and then went to the owners to demand the charges. While on the errand someone went and

His widow, becoming reduced, was obliged to dispose of the house and croft, which is still called "Chapman's Croft."

MARY CARSON lived on the Dial. She had a basket containing cottons and tape, and on certain days visited the surrounding villages. The late Vicar, the Rev. Urban Smith, was often favoured with a visit from her. When he saluted her with "Hello, Marie, and how art thou to-day?" she frequently replied, "Alright, my child, and how art thou?" Her son went to New Zealand, and before he went she said, "Let me hake thee a cake to take wi' thee". On one occasion she remarked to Mrs. Goddard (wife of the chandler), "Ay, what dost think, Shrove Tuesday's goin' to be on Wednesday this time".

GEORGE BOOTH kept the old Moon Inn, and afterwards removed to Highfield Farm. He had four sons, John, George, Thomas, and Charles, John Booth, the Miller, lived on the nursery and the Weeping Willow, now standing in the garden of Mr. Barber, once occupied the centre of the lawn. It is commonly asserted that the three cottages below the Gateway were formerly the stables attached to his house. Thomas Booth, of Leam Hall, worked the Tannery at Goatcliffe, Grindleford, for some years, it having, been left by legacy from Mr. William Smith.

Charles was afterwards the eminent Dr. Booth, of Chesterfield.

REV. URBAN SMITH, M.A., educated at the Trinity College, Cambridge, was incumbent of the Parish of Stoney Middleton for 53 years. He was born 1804 A.D., and became first Vicar of this parish in 1834. He was a noted geologist, a fine Greek scholar, and held the position of Secretary to the Clerical Greek Testament Meeting. He was a very benevolent gentleman, and spent much of his time in the cottages of the inhabitants of the village.

The Vicarage was built in 1836, chiefly through the energy of the Vicar. It stands on an eminence, south-west of the church. At the side he had a schoolroom fitted up and had private pupils, amongst whom were Dr. P. Fentem, Rev. C. S. Cutler, and others. He died December 9th, 1887, aged 80, and was buried in Stoney Middleton Cemetery on Dec. 13th, amid much sorrow and sympathy of the villagers.

"In Grateful Remembrance of his long and valued Services as Secretary". This was designed by Dr. E. M. Wrench, who furnished the sexton of the church with the names of the marbles, which are not quarried now.

ANCIENT MINING LAWS.

The lesser liberties within the Act are the manor or liberty of Stoney Middleton and Eyam. A small Barmote Court is held for the united Liberty of Stoney Middleton and Eyam. This court is held alternately at both villages within one month after the 25th of March each year,

The Grand Jury consists of 48, of which the miners, owners, and maintainers of mines may summon 24. The names of the Jury are affixed to the door of an outbuilding.

RIGHTS OF ALL SUBJECTS TO PROSPECT FOR LEAD. "It is lawful for all subjects of this realm to search for, sink and dig mines or veins of lead ore, upon, in, or under all manner of land of whose inheritance soever they may be (churches, churchyards, places for public worship, burial grounds, dwelling houses, orchards, gardens, pleasure grounds and highways excepted), but if no vein or ore be found, and it is abandoned for 14 days the land must he levelled and made good by those making the search".

ROYALTIES were to be paid to the King and his successors. They were called the duties of 'Lot and Cope'. The former was one-thirteenth part of all the ore raised, and the Cope was 4d. for every load of ore measured.

LORDS OF THE FIELD. "At the time of the passing of the Act of 1852 the Duke of Devonshire, the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos, or the Marquis of Chandos, the only son and heir apparent of the last-named Duke and in his right Sir Richard Tufton, as tenant for life in possession, were entitled as tenants in common to the mineral duties, in the said manor or liberty of Stoney Middleton and Eyam".

WORDS AND EXPRESSIONS. GIFT: setting out by

FOUNDER: the point at which a vein of ore shall be first found.

FOUNDER MEERS is the name given to the two first meers to be set out to the finder the provision of the Act. Every meer or ground sball contain 32 yards.

CUSTOMS AND SUPERSTITIONS.

1. WEDDINGS. A rope was often put across the roadway to impede the progress of those who had recently "been wed". Old shoes, sods, and horse beans were hurled at them. According to some people these had a significance.

   Sods denoted luck in the produce of the earth, Shoes denoted plenty of clothes. Rice denoted plenty of children.

   A DONKEY WEDDING. On Christmas Day, 1853, a curious wedding took place at Stoney Middleton. Donkeys were gathered from the mines for miles around and dressed up with straw saddles. The bridal party were then escorted to the church amid a crowd of onlookers, After the ceremony the bride and bridegroom were conducted to their new home, and the donkeys set at liberty.

2. BARM FEAST was held on New Year's Day. At one time people brewed their own beer. Publicans gave this feast to those who bought barm.

3. PLOUGH MONDAY (Collop Monday). Ploughs were drawn by 20 men, one of which carried a whip with a bladder at the end. If no drink was forthcoming, they would proceed to plough up the door.

4. COLLOP MONDAY (the day preceding Shrove Tuesday). Farmers were asked to give collops of bacon, eggs, or milk to the peasants for making pancakes.

5. MISCHIEF NIGHT (Collop Monday). Gates were taken off their hinges, neighbours' carts were dragged down-hill to the water's edge, and neighbours' doors were tied by rope.

6. PANCAKE BELL is still rung at 11 11 o'clock on Shrove Tuesday at Stoney Middleton. It is a remnant of the Confession Bell of pre-Reformation time. Apprentices, according to the terms of their indentures, could leave their

   [Page 39]

   work at the ringing of this bell, All that now remains of the once popular "Barring out day" is the doggerel rhyme:

   'Pancake Day,
   If you won't give us holiday
   We'll all run away'.

   SHROVE TUESDAY: "Barring out Day". A former schoolmaster was once reminded of the custom of `Barring out', when the master quickly replied: "If your grandfathers ate porridge with a fork, you needn't do it."

7. 'SHAKEN BOTTLE DAY' (Easter Monday). Children poured water from 'Betty Brewer's well' into a bottle containing broken sweetmeats. It was shaken to cleanse or purify the water.

8. 'THARF CAKE JOIN' was a custom on the 5th November. A number of persons joined together and raised a certain sum of money with which to provide Tharf Cake (or Parkin) and Toffey. Practical jokes were often indulged in by those who were not invited, and on one occasion. the toffey was spoiled by a hen being let down the chimney.

9. MAYPOLE DAY is still upheld in the village. The 'May Queen' is chosen by popular vote, and the children parade the village. Mr. Wood, the historian, states that 'part of the ceremony of the great festival of the Druids consisted in carrying long poles of mountain ash festooned with flowers'.

10. 'CLAY-DAUBIN'. Friends of a newly-wedded couple assembled and erected them a cottage usually in one day. The evening was spent in merrymaking.

    SUPERSTITION dies hard in the Peak. The chattering of crows or owls is counted ominous. If a magpie crosses the path it denotes bad luck; if two magpies, good luck will follow; if three, it implies approaching marriage; and four magpies is a sign of a funeral. Other mortality signs are: the croaking of a raven; crowing cock at roosting time; howling dogs; ticking of a spider; and the sudden appearance of a white cricket.

    Formerly if a young woman wished to divine who was to be her future husband, she was told to go into the Churchyard at midnight, and as the clock struck twelve she was to

    [Page 40]

    commence running round the Church repeating without intermission:

    'I sow hemp seed, hemp seed I sow,
    He that loves me best,
    Come after me and mow'.

    Having performed the circuit twelve times without stopping, the figure of her lover was supposed to appear and follow her.

Next Chapter: DIALECT OF THE PEAK