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John Webster, born about 1794 at Darfield, was quite a character. He was the only son of John Webster (born 1756 at Fiskerton) and Sarah Swift (born 1773 at Ecclesfield). A farmer at Hemingfield, he was well known for his size and strength. Family legend has it that, for wagers, he ploughed an acre of land to an acceptable standard in a day without the aid of horses, and that he once lifted ten men seated on a table in a local tavern until their heads touched the ceiling. Standing at around six feet seven inches, and weighing around 33 stone, he was so large that when travelling by train to Barnsley he had to ride in the guards' van as he couldn't get in the carriage doors. |
John Webster and Mary Garland |
