Hartington Volunteers c1890-94 Market Place
This picture was given to Geoffrey Prime of Dove Cottage, Hartington, on October 1972 by Bob Bury of Bank House Hulme End. He was the son of Jennie Gould (Paddock Farm, Alstonfield) who married Thomas Bury – son of Doctor Bury. Gould’s of Palace Farm, Sheen, were related to Slack’s of Sheen by marriage.
Henry Prime married the daughter of Elizabeth Slack. Her sister, Anne, married a Gould.
There is a silver spoon (currently in the possession of Liz Broomhead) which is marked on the back “Hartington Rifle Club”. It was given to G.D. Prime when a child by Pollie (Mary Ellen Sutton) who lived at Clematis Cottage in 1890- bottom front left of this picture.
Notice the old cotton mill (built by Cantrell), middle right which later became a workhouse. burnt down shortly after the photo was taken, the current Minton house was built on this site in 1894 by J.W Bassett using offcuts from buildings in Buxton (because it was cheaper). The triangular stone on the end of the building demonstrates these offcuts and why they were much cheaper.
Thomas Cantrell’s textile (cotton) mill of 1777 (employing around 60 workers) opposite the colonnaded village stores when in use as a penny lodging
house. In the foreground are the local Volunteer Force, possibly from Ashbourne, as they trained here
Notice also the building, which used to be the slaughterhouse, which is now the site of the War Memorial.
Hartington News 1859
War between England and France threatened the invasion of England. A force of 100,000 volunteers provided their own uniforms. Rifles were government provided. Troops were formed in Hartington, Sheen and Alstonfield whilst the Drill Sergeant was based in Hartington.
LONGNOR.
FIFTY YEARS AGO.
PRIZE SHOOTING AT LONGNOR.
The older residents of Longnor, who may have been associated with, or remember the 21st (Hartington) Derbyshire Rifle Volunteers, will read with interest the following extract which is culled from the “Buxton Advertiser” of Wednesday, September 29th, 1875, exactly fifty years ago :—“ On Tuesday last the members of the 21st (Hartington) D.R.V., under the command of Lieutenant Swaffield, competed at the Longnor range for a handsome silver cup, presented by Mr. Vauncy Harpur Crewe, and upwards of £17 in prize money contributed in the neighbourhood. The distances were 200, 400, and 500 yards, five shots at each, with the following results —Drill-Instructor Sergeant Ural, 44 points, £2; Private Featherstone, 41 points, cup; Private Clulow, 40 points, £1 10s.; Sergeant Woolley, 39 points, £1 5s.; Bugler Adams, 39 points, £1; Lieutenant Swaffield, 38 points, 15s.; Sergeant Goodwin, 36 points, 15s.; Private Wilson, 38 points, 12s. ’ 6d.; Private Prime, 33 points, 12s. 6d.; Private Ashworth, 33 points, 10s.; Private Burnett, 30 points, 10s.; Sergt. Adapts, 29 points, 10s.; Private Gilman, 28 points, 7s. 6d.; Corporal Burnett, 28 points, 7s. 6d.; Sergt. Grindy, 26 points, 7s. 6d.; etc., etc. There were prizes for all. After the contest, the company, headed with its band, marched into town, enlivening the usually dull market. In the evening a very excellent dinner, provided by Mrs. Grindy, Crewe and Harpur’s Arms, was much enjoyed. Mr. Swaffield, Pilsbury Grange, presided, and was ably supported by Mr. W. Millward, Longnor. Loyal and other toasts, interspersed with songs and glees, and the distribution of prizes by the worthy chairman, rendered the evening a most harmonious and enjoyable one.
BIGGIN-BY-HARTINGTON
On the 14th inst, the death occurred of Mr. George Moss, of the Dale End Farm, at the age of 72. He came to the Jug and Glass Inn, Biggin, with his parents 44 years ago, and has lived in the parish ever since.
At 17 years of age he joined the Brass Band. then called the Sheen Band. It is now the Hartington Brass Band, and Mr. Moss was a member of it for well-nigh half-a-century.
He served as a Volunteer in the Hartington Corps. As an “ Oddfellow ” he was appointed chairman and held this office for several years. He was also for some years a member of the Parish Council for Hartington-nether-Quarter.
For the last few years the deceased had been troubled with asthma, and in May his health broke down to such an extent that he was confined to his room. His condition became gradually worse, until he passed peacefully away in. the presence of his sorrowing wife and sister, and to the great regret of his many friends in the neighbourhood, who held him in the highest respect.
Mr. Moss leaves one son who resides at S. Helens. His eldest son died quite suddenly last August. The funeral took place at Biggin on the 18th inst., and was attended by a large number of relatives and friends.