Barnsley Chronicle – Saturday 11 February 1860
Vagrancy. James Greenham, an old man, who is said to have had nearly one stone of bread in his possession when he was taken into custody, was charged on Wednesday, at the Court-house, before J. Barff, Esq., with begging alms on Monday. Police-constable Milsom proved the offence, and his evidence was borne out by Mrs. Ellen Sutcliffe, of Thorne Lane. — Mr. Macdonald said that the man, though old, was a “sturdy beggar,” and when he found a woman in a house alone, he was in the habit of intimidating her. He was committed to prison for fourteen days. — A young man named Standiforth, from Totness, and another named Jesse Widdop, a native of Halifax, were next charged with committing a similar offence. Police-constable Parkinson proving that he found the two men begging in Silver Street on the preceding evening. Their defence was that they were woolcombers from the West of England who (machinery having been introduced there to comb wool) were travelling to Bradford to see if they could obtain employment. They were discharged on promising to leave the town.
Explanation of Context:
The article highlights the issue of vagrancy in England during the 1860s, which was a period of significant social and economic change. The term “vagrancy” broadly referred to people without settled homes or employment, often seen as a criminal issue rather than a social one.
- The Case of James Greenham:
- James Greenham, an elderly man, was arrested for begging. Despite his apparent desperation (carrying nearly a stone of bread), the court deemed him a “sturdy beggar,” a term used to describe individuals perceived as physically capable of work but who chose to beg.
- The court also noted his behaviour of intimidating solitary women, which likely heightened the severity of his punishment—14 days in prison.
- The Case of Standiforth and Jesse Widdop:
- These two men were charged with vagrancy after being caught begging in Silver Street. Their defence provides insight into economic disruptions: they were woolcombers, a profession affected by the industrial revolution, particularly the mechanisation of textile production.
- Their claim of seeking employment in Bradford illustrates the struggles of workers displaced by industrial advancements. The court discharged them on the condition they left town.
Life in Barnsley in the 1860s:
Barnsley, a town in Yorkshire, was undergoing industrialisation during the 1860s. The local economy was driven by coal mining and glass manufacturing, alongside traditional industries such as wool production. However, the industrial revolution brought widespread disruption:
- Social Challenges: Many workers, like the woolcombers mentioned, were displaced by mechanisation, leading to unemployment and migration in search of work.
- Housing and Poverty: Industrial towns often had poor living conditions. Overcrowding, inadequate sanitation, and limited public welfare systems were common.
- Policing and Vagrancy Laws: The authorities viewed vagrancy as both a criminal issue and a moral failing. The Vagrancy Act of 1824 criminalized begging and homelessness, leading to punishments like imprisonment.
Historical Significance for Genealogists and Historians:
- Genealogical Insights:
- Names like James Greenham, Standiforth, and Jesse Widdop might be valuable for descendants tracing family histories, particularly for understanding ancestors’ movements and occupations during industrialisation.
- Social History:
- This article sheds light on the judicial system’s treatment of poverty and unemployment in the mid-19th century.
- The economic transition from manual trades to mechanised industries profoundly affected individuals, forcing many into vagrancy or migration.
- Local History:
- The mention of streets (e.g., Silver Street) and residents (e.g., Mrs. Ellen Sutcliffe) provides glimpses into Barnsley’s social fabric.
- This reflects how industrial towns managed the influx of job seekers and the challenges posed by rapid urbanisation.
- A woolcomber was a skilled artisan in the textile industry who prepared wool for spinning into yarn. The process of woolcombing involved separating and straightening wool fibres to ensure they were smooth, clean, and aligned, making them suitable for spinning into fine worsted yarns. This step was essential in the production of high-quality fabrics, particularly worsted cloth, which was used for tailored garments such as suits and dresses.
The Woolcombing Process
- Washing the Wool: Raw wool was washed to remove dirt, grease, and other impurities.
- Carding: The wool fibres were initially disentangled and roughly aligned using a carding tool.
- Combing: Woolcombing refined the fibres further by removing shorter or tangled strands, leaving only the longer fibres.
- This was achieved using heated hand combs or, later, mechanised woolcombing machines.
- The resulting wool, known as “tops,” was prized for its smoothness and strength, ideal for worsted spinning.
Tools and Skills
- Manual woolcombing required dexterity and experience to work efficiently with tools like hand combs, which often had heated tines to make the wool easier to handle.
- The work was physically demanding and required close attention to detail to produce consistent results.
Industrialisation and Decline of Manual Woolcombing
- During the 19th century, the mechanisation of woolcombing, particularly with the invention of machines such as the Heilmann woolcomber, transformed the industry. These machines could process wool much faster and more efficiently than manual methods.
- This led to the displacement of many woolcombers, who were highly skilled but now redundant in the face of industrial technology.
- Many displaced workers, like those in the Barnsley newspaper article, were forced to travel to industrial towns (such as Bradford) in search of employment, often facing significant hardships.
Historical Context
Woolcombing was an essential trade in Britain during the pre-industrial era, particularly in regions like Yorkshire and the West Country, where the woollen and worsted industries thrived. The decline of the craft symbolises the broader impact of the Industrial Revolution on traditional trades and livelihoods.
Barnsley Chronicle – Saturday 11 February 1860 The Barnsley Chronicle is a long-standing local newspaper serving the town of Barnsley, South Yorkshire, and its surrounding areas. First published in 1858, it has been a key source of local news, information, and community stories for over a century and a half. Its coverage has included everything from local politics and social events to economic developments and legal cases, making it a vital record of Barnsley’s history.
Early History
- The Barnsley Chronicle was founded during the mid-19th century, a time of significant change and industrial growth in Barnsley. The town was thriving as a centre for coal mining, glassmaking, and linen production, and the Chronicle reflected the needs of a growing population eager for news and information.
- Its early editions focused on local issues, such as the rise of trade unions, public health, and the impact of industrialisation on the community. It also covered national and international news, but with a local perspective.
Format and Content
- Early editions of the Barnsley Chronicle were printed weekly and aimed at a working-class readership. The paper often featured:
- Reports on local events, court cases, and council decisions.
- News of the town’s industrial activities, particularly the coal mining industry.
- Classified advertisements for local businesses and services.
- Births, marriages, and deaths columns, which remain an invaluable resource for genealogists.
Role in the Community
- The Barnsley Chronicle became more than just a news outlet; it was a community institution. It provided a platform for public discussion and debate on issues affecting Barnsley’s residents, including labour disputes, housing conditions, and education reforms.
- The newspaper also played a significant role in documenting the lives and struggles of Barnsley’s working-class population, especially during challenging times, such as the coal mining strikes and the economic hardships of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Modern Era
- Over time, the Barnsley Chronicle has adapted to changing times and technologies. While it remained a print publication for most of its history, it now also operates online, reaching a wider audience beyond the local area.
- Despite the decline in local print journalism nationally, the Barnsley Chronicle has retained its importance as a source of trusted news and remains one of the few independently-owned local newspapers in the UK.
Significance for Historians and Genealogists
- The archives of the Barnsley Chronicle offer a rich resource for understanding the history of Barnsley and its people. It provides first-hand accounts of key events, from industrial strikes and the World Wars to the development of local institutions and infrastructure.
- For genealogists, its announcements of births, marriages, deaths, and legal cases provide valuable insights into family histories.
A Legacy of Local Journalism
The Barnsley Chronicle stands as a testament to the enduring importance of local journalism. Its ability to adapt while continuing to serve its community has ensured its place as a cornerstone of Barnsley’s cultural and historical identity.
Vagrancy in Victorian England: Stories of Poverty, Punishment & Industrial Displacement from 1860s Barnsley. 📰 #History #VictorianEra #SocialJustice #Genealogy #BarnsleyChronicle
