A farmer in all but name

It was suggested that only the farmers of Teesdale should be allowed to buy shares. However, it was pointed out that a person with one acre of land and a few sheep could call himself a farmer.

Then it was stated that many butchers who regularly bought stock at the market also had land of their own on which they grazed some beasts, so they were farmers.

And dealers who did business there often also had their own land on which to keep cattle, sheep and other animals so they could claim to be farmers, too.

Another point was that some Weardale farmers had been supporting the mart for a long time, so they deserved to be included if they wanted.

The arguments followed the sudden death at the age of 50 of Sidney Trery. who launched the mart in 1882 and built up its business steadily.

A number of dale farming folk thought they should have their own market instead of letting one man have total control.

But Trery was such a pleasant and well-respected fellow that any challenge to him had little chance of success.

However, shortly after a busy sale day, in which he sold more than 200 head of cattle and sheep, he collapsed and died. Within a few days, a move was made to establish a firm to take over his business.

A meeting was called in the Witham Hall, and it was agreed that a company be set up with 3,000 shares at £1 apiece. No one was to be allowed more than 50 shares. A late suggestion that the limit should be 25 shares was defeated.

While Teesdale farmers were to be given preference, it was decided that butchers, dealers and farmers from outside the dale boundary could also buy them if they wished.

It was expected that 3,000 would be enough to meet the full demand. It became a successful launch for the Barnard Castle and Teesdale Farmers Auction Mart Company, which was established within a few weeks and is still going strong after 114 years.

WT Scarth, the Raby agent, gave the project his full backing and the farmers acted with admirable haste following the demise of Trery. They wanted to ensure a major company from outside did not get in first.

Gordon House colliery, which brought a sharp rise in Cockfield’s population

Trery, brought up in London, was married to Margaret, daughter of James Todd of Hill House, Barningham. He ran a London hotel for a time, before moving back north to live in Barnngham, where he bought some land.

He was connected to Darlington mart for a time before buying a property in Galgate, Barnard Castle, from John Lax. He turned the large garden into a mart with a corrugated iron roof over the ring.

He made a success of it right away.

He was a top-class auctioneer and expert valuer. He was called on to value the property and belongings of John Bowes of Streatlam Castle, founder of Bowes Museum.

He also travelled round a wide area conducting farm and country house sales.

He found time to be superintendent of a Wesleyan Sunday school in the town. He was generous and could be counted on to help those who were down on their luck.

The mart has moved to a different nearby site in modern times, and a housing development on the original land is known as Farmers Way.

CHRISTOPHER DAWSON was one of the tramps who wandered round the roads of the dales in the 1880s, carrying his possessions in a bundle fastened to a stick and held over his shoulder.

He slept in the open air when the weather was right.

At other times, he crept into barns or haylofts in Weardale and Teesdale, and he was a regular visitor to workhouses.

He must have had a pleasant SATURDAY, JANUARY 18, 2014 northernecho.co.uk MEMORIES 63 A farmer in all but name With Jim McTaggart mctagg@uwclub.net manner, however, for when a job vacancy cropped up at Barnard Castle workhouse, he was offered it.

It was like a poacher turning gamekeeper. Some of the Board of Guardians felt he was worthy of being appointed porter at £15 a year plus his keep.

However, there was some opposition. He would have the task of keeping inmates in order, but it was thought that when they knew he had been an inmate himself, they would take no notice of him.

It was agreed in the end that because he knew the ropes he would be able to handle any problems. He was proud to take his place on the payroll.

His days as a vagrant on the highways and byways were over, for the time being at least.

WHEN plans were announced for a new coal mine in a village, it led to a much-needed improvement in the local water supply.

There had been concern for some time about the quality of water provided for homes in Cockfield before the rural sanitary authority was told in 1890 that a pit was to be opened.

An inspector stated that instant action was needed to improve and increase the flow of water because up to 300 extra people would be moving in.

He was correct because Gordon House Colliery opened, and the population rose sharply right away, and Cockfield did get all the good clear water it needed.

There had been problems with the supply for a long time. Local historian John Hallimond says it was at its worst in 1868, when it was blamed for an outbreak of typhoid in which 12 residents died.

The mine became an important feature of life in Cockfield for many decades. It employed more than 830 men at times, with about 700 toiling underground. Though there was never a disaster there, at least 18 miners died in single accidents over the years.

The youngest victim was 14-year-old driver William Watson Hutchinson, who died in 1903 when a prop broke and brought a big stone down on top of him.

Bert Walton, 18, a pony driver, died after a fall of stone in 1946. Most of the fatalities were caused by falls of stone or coal.

Cartman William Harrison, 69, was standing on a cart in 1911 when the horse suddenly moved, causing him to fall to the ground. He worked for several more days before internal injuries led to his death.

Gordon House produced impressive quantities of coal, but John Hallimond, who provided pictures of the colliery, says some of the output was sent through a tunnel to Randolph colliery at Evenwood, so its figures were inflated.

MANY deals between dale farming folk in the past were sealed by a God’s penny. It was used especially at the hirings.

Once a farmer agreed to employ someone for a certain period, one would give the other a penny, which had to be put in the collection at the next church service.

It was felt the coin verified the contract just as much as if a document had been signed.

But it baffled a judge at Barnard Castle County Court in 1904.

Matthew Heslop, of Shipley Moss, Hamsterley, sued William Denham, of Smelt House, Ingleton, for £15 wages.

He stated that at the hirings he wanted £16, on top of board and lodgings, for a half year’s work. But he settled with Mr Denham for £15.

The work was not to include milking, except when the farmer was away. The deal was settled by a God’s penny.

The judge asked for this to be explained.

A solicitor said it was a custom dating from the 16th Century.

It was mentioned in Pepys’ diary, and was still used in Weardale and Teesdale.

When the coin was put into the church collection, it meant the deal was sealed.

The judge said he had never heard of it.

It transpired there had been problems over how much milking Heslop had to do, and how much Sunday work he was given, such as cleaning mangolds.

Sidney Trery’s house at 30 Galgate, Barnard Castle, next to the arched entrance to the mart he founded in 1882. The house is now a register office

It ended with him being told to get off the farm without any wages being paid.

The judge said the farmer was wrong to tell the worker to clean mangolds on a Sunday, and mistaken in telling him to clear off without his wages.

He ordered that the full £15 should be paid at once, with costs.

God’s penny may not have affected the outcome of the case, but it got a lot of attention in legal circles and among dale farmers.