SKELTON - IN - CLEVELAND IN HISTORY

John Richardson, Blacksmith, 20 Trout Hall Lane.

1890 - Bulmer's Directory of Skelton:- 51 Boosbeck Rd - Miss Martha E White, Schoolmistress. 61 Boosbeck Rd - William Seaton, flour dealer. 77 Boosbeck Rd - Richard Kidson. 87 Boosbeck Rd - Doctor David Michaiel Keily. 89 Boosbeck Rd - Doctor David Simpson Dunn. Miners Hospital, Boosbeck Rd - Miss M A Mills, Matron. Cleveland St - Richard Knaggs, grocer. 20 Trout Hall Lane - John Richardson, Blacksmith. [John was born in Cassop, Co Durham and his wife Mary was born in Skelton. they had six children, all born in Skelton and the boy on the right in the picture is probably George Richardson, who followed his father in the blacksmiths' trade.] Skelton Mill - Thomas Garbutt, Corn Miller.

For most people, before the coming of the railways, walking was the only option and in order to reach Saltburn, Skelton folk had to cross Skelton Beck, presumably by stepping stones.
Parish Magazine:-
"When we are on the subject of improvements, surely now is the time for the Local Board or somebody, to take steps for the erection of a light bridge for foot passengers across the Skelton Beck.
the footpath across the fields to Saltburn might be considerably shortened if taken along the right hand side of the wood, instead of through it as at present, under the second arch of the railway viaduct and then across a plank bridge to a point near the hand gate on the Saltburn side.
The road is at present unsafe in the dark and crossing the water is difficult even in daylight.
Were it improved, we might expect to see a good deal more of the Saltburn visitors, to say nothing of the advantage to ourselves of being able to reach Saltburn in less time, with less difficulty and with less dangers than at present.
This might be attended to at once, while the railway Station question is still "under consideration".

It was said some time ago that our Local Board had determined to put down some asphalte footpaths after the fashion of the Scarboro ones.
While the question is before the members, we should like to suggest that a favourable site for the experiment would be at the end of High Street, Skelton, on the south side opposite to the church and that at the same time the footpath should be extended to the Cemetery.
Considering the hundreds of foot passengers who daily pass along this particular piece of road, including the Stanghow Lane school children, it is hardly to our credit that this provision for their safety and comfort has not been made before this.
The path in front of the Cemetery might also be widened sufficiently to admit of two persons walking abreast upon it.
If this suggestion be carried out and found to be a success, the path might afterwards be continued, when the parish admitted of the expense, to North Skelton.
It is rather hard upon its twelve hundred inhabitants and four hundred at New Skelton, when they visit our metropolis, to have to walk in the middle of the raod and take their chance of being run over, to say nothing of our convenience at Old Skelton when we desire to visit the Cemetery, the Schools, New Skelton or North Skelton.

July 23rd - The Treat was given to the Sunday scholars of the Drill Hall and Infant Schools, Skelton.
400 children, together with their teachers, were entertained with tea and games on the lawns, kindly lent by Major Wharton.
Several ballon ascents afforded considerable amusement to the young folk
After tea - sweets, nuts and a large quantity of toys were distributed amongst the children.

Skelton Green Post Office, Boosbeck Road.

29th July - PRESENTATION TO MR JOHN THOMAS WHARTON. This was made to Mr Wharton in recognition of his services to Skelton. In the past the Squire has made many gifts to the parish and thrown himself heartily into every plan for the improvements of the place. The gift of upwards of £2,000 towards making the new road to North Skelton. The land for the Cemetery. The land for Stanghow Lane and other Schools. The noble tower of the new Church, with its clock and bells at a cost of £4,000. The erection of the Miner's Hospital. Are some of the instances of his readiness to provide for the public benefit and make Skelton what it ought to be. Besides these he, we understand, offered to provide all necessary school accommodation for the district and to find the money for expenses of education, so that no working mans's child should cost its parents more than twopence a week. This offer, however, was not accepted.

Tom Ward.1856 - 1930. Thomas was the eldest son of William Ward, the old gentleman pictured on Chemist's Corner on the page for 1901-1902. Pictured here in his later days tending the Skelton Church grounds as Warden. He was a Deputy in the Ironstone mines and lived in these times at 7 Yeoman St and then in Robinson St. He had qualified as a lecturer for the Temperance Society and travelled about Cleveland addressing their meetings. [Photograph kindly donated by Alan Ward.]

It was determined that an illustrated address, together with an album containing the names of subscribers, should be presented to Mr Wharton. Subscriptions were not to exceed five shilling each. On accepting the testimonial Mr Wharton spoke of the changes he had seen since he came into possession of the estate in 1843 - when the village was small, exceedingly poor, and out of order. Huge improvements had taken place and if he was the cause of these he was very happy. Amongst those present were the Castle party - Mr and Mrs John Thomas Wharton, Mr and Mrs William Henry Anthony Wharton Archdeacon Yeoman, [Yeoman Street] the Hon. Miss Dundas, Mrs Yeoman, Mrs Ellis, Miss Yeoman, Miss Sophy, and Miss Laura Yeoman, Mr C C Ellis. The Subscribers were - The Rev Ellis, the Rector; J A Thompson; Doctors Dunn and Shand; Mr and Mrs William Scarth of Rounton Grange; Mr Sayers, Guisbro; Mr D Petch, Liverton; Mr D T Petch, Hobdale; Mr T Petch, The Barns; Mrs Dickinson; Messrs. William Brown, I Dixon, A Tate, J Wilson, G King, J M Gowland, J Elliot, J Pattinson, M Young, J R Hood, N House, T Varty, A C Cromar, R Horne, J Smith, A Ellis, J W Witts, H T Allinson, R W Stevenson, G Atkinson, J Crouch, J Morgan, G Andrews, R Kidson, J Wood, T Wright, T Shepherd, R Young, T Taylor, J Calow, Capt Lynas etc. August 23rd - The Boosbeck, Skelton and District Horticultural, Industrial and Athletic Society held a meeting. September - The Local Board or somebody has been doing a little in the way of road making or mending on the Hills. We hope the work may be carried a little further, The footpath from the Post Office to the top sadly needs attention. At a little expense of wood, gravel and labour, one or two winding paths might be made and also a few plank seats put here and there. If anybody will give us £15 we could do all that is suggested and so start what might be called Skelton Park. 4th October - An interesting gathering took place at Skelton Castle. The Ambulance Societies of Skelton, Marske and Brotton held a united parade and inspection, Mustering at the Cross Green they marched each detachment under its own banner and headed by the Skelton Brass Band to the Castle. 16th November - A muffled peal announced the funeral of Mr David Thomas Petch of Hobdale. As church warden, as member of the Board of Guardians [of which he was many years chairman] and other public bodies, he had gained a large circle of friends. The pulpit, which was one of his gifts to the Church was draped in black.

Skelton Castle. [Postcard kindly donated by Julie Felgate of Skelton.]

November 4th - Mrs William Wharton of Skelton Castle laid the foundation stone for Moorsholm Church. The land was offered by Robert Petch, farmer of Liverton. The building was paid for by the Whartons of the Castle. Parish Magazine:- At the opening ceremony to show how the population had increased, the curate explained...in the Rural Deanery, which takes in Moorsholm to Stockton, there were only 13 churches and 13 clergymen. Up to the present time they had increased to 21 churches and 45 clergymen. After the ceremony a good number of the visitors and friends adjourned to the Mission Room, where a sumptuous tea was generously provided by the people of the village. Proceeds towards a new harmonium or some article for the church. In the evening a Temperance Meeting was held, when the room was crowded....several pledges were taken at the close." 19th December - Parish Magazine:-

"In connection with the Band of Hope, a Temperance Meeting will be held in the Drill Hall, when a lecture, entitled "A Peep at the Drinking Customs in England" will be given by the Rev William Askwith, illustrated with magic lantern slides. A small charge will be made for admission to cover expenses. Day scholars - 1 penny, other children under 15 -twopence, Adults 3d." During 1890 there were 49 burials of infants at Skelton Parish Church.