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BaslowTollBars

AnnHall

17.10.2017

Contents

• Introduction• WhereweretheBaslowParishtollbarssituated?(includingamapandbriefoutlineofthe

fivepossibleTollBars–Watchman’sHut,BaslowBridge,Cupola,MillstoneBridgeandRobinHood)

• Adetailedhistoryofeachofthetollbarsincludingthehistoryofthebuildinganditsowners,tollcollectorsandresidents.

1. TheWatchman’sHutandBaslowBridgeTollBar2. BaslowBridgeTollBar3. CupolaBar4. MillstoneBridgeandRobinHoodTollBars

Acknowledgments

Appendices

1. Careertollcollectorfamilies2. Listofnamesmentionedinthearticle

Introduction

Overmuchofthecountryinthe18thand19thcenturies,themainrouteswerecontrolledbytheTurnpikeTrustswhichcollectedtollsatgates(turnpikes)situatedalongtheroad,oftenatornearroadjunctions.Theroadmaintenanceproblemsofincreasingtrafficandoflargervehiclesovertheoldrouteswasovercomebyusingthetollmoneyforrepairs.Alsotheinterestintheinvestmenttobuildnewroadswasrepaidwiththesecharges.Nexttothegatelivedatollcollectorfamilywhoreceivedthetollandopenedthegateatanytimeofthedayornight.Muchmoregeneralinformationcanbefoundatwww.turnpikes.org.uk

ThisarticleisaboutthehistoryofthetollbarsandtheirownersandresidentsinBaslowParish,Derbyshire.Therewerefivepossibletollbarscollectingmoneyforjourneyingoverbridgesandturnpikeroads.Threeofthemstillexistalbeitinmodifiedform.Muchofthedetailremainstobediscoveredsopleasecontactmeifyouhaveanyfurtherfactstoaddtotherecordannhall4@hotmail.com.

AlsonewinformationhasbeenunearthedaboutMaryBrady,alocalitinerantwoman,andtheBaslowTollBarcarvedstonewindowwhichsurvivesinCalver.

WhereweretheBaslowParishtollbarssituated?

TheWatchman’sHutorHermitageisonthenorthwestsideoftheoldBaslowBridgebytheRutlandArms.Thisquaintlittlebuildingisthemostphotographedofthegroup.Howeveritisnotcertain

whenitwasbuiltorifitactuallywasthesiteoftollcollection.Itfirstappearsonamapin1848andwasusedreputedlyforshelteringthemenofBaslowwhostoppedmiscreantsfromenteringthevillageatnight.HoweveritmightalsohavebeenaninformalbutveryconvenientshelterforthetollcollectorduringinclementweatheronabusydaywhencollectingmoneyfromtravellersalongtheturnpikeroadovertheoldBaslowBridge.

BaslowBridgeTollBarwassitedoppositetheWatchman’sHutbetweenthelychgateofBaslowChurchandtheoldbridge.ItislikelythatsomepartofthebuildingnowcalledTollBarCottagewasthesiteoftollcollection.Therewasabuildingpresenthereona1799mapanditispossiblethatitwasbuiltin1759fortollcollectionontheBakewellbranchoftheChesterfieldtoHernstoneLaneHeadturnpikeroadwhichpassedovertheoldbridgeandupWheatlandsLanetoHassopandhencetoBakewell.ItisalsolikelytohavecollectedtollsonabranchofthesameturnpikewhichpassedtoCalverandontoStoneyMiddletoninthedirectionofManchester(thepresentdayA623).

CupolaTollBarwasbuiltinapproximately1819ontheOwlerBarturnpikefromTotleytoBaslow(thepresentdayA621)andwasthelowercottageinalittlegroupofbuildingsatCupolaontheSheffieldRoadoutofBaslow.Itremainedoccupiedaftertheroadwasdisturnpikedbutitstypicaltollhousebaywindowwasdemolishedinaroadtrafficaccidentin1975andthebuildingfootprintwasincorporatedintothemodernhousewhichwasbuiltinthegardenoftheoriginalcottage.

MillstoneBridgeTollBarisknownfromdescriptiverecordsbutitsexactsitehasyettobefoundonmapsoftheperiod.The1759ChesterfieldtoHernstoneLaneHeadturnpikepassedoverMillstoneBridgewestofRobinHood.TherouteoftheoldroadcanbetracedonthesouthsideofHeathyLeaBrookandWarddescribesthelikelysiteofthetollhouseinaClarionRamblersHandbookonthesouthsideofthisroadtothewestofthenowruinousbridge.TollswerelikelytohavebeencollectedherefromtheconstructionoftheturnpikeviaWadshelfin1812untilthelate1820swhenthenewRobinHoodtollhousewasbuilt.

RobinHoodTollBar.Inapproximately1828theChesterfieldtoHernstoneLaneHeadturnpikewasreroutedoutofChatsworthParkandtothenorthoftheHeathyLeaBrook(therouteofthepresentdayA619)andtheMillstoneBridgetollhouseonthesouthsideoftheHeathyleaBrookhadtoberesited.ThenewRobinHoodtollhousewasbuilttoplanswhichstillexistanditspositionistobefoundonseveralmapsupto1879.ItwassituatedtothesouthoftheentrancetotheRobinHoodInn(inthemiddleofthenewroadjunctionformedin2015)anditcollectedtollsfromtheroadfromOldBramptonaswellasWadshelf.Theroadwasdisturnpikedandthetollhousewasdemolishedin1879.

Adetailedhistoryofeachthetollbarsincludingthehistoryofthebuildinganditsowners,tollcollectorsandresidents.

Tofindoutmoreabouttheirhistory,IhaveresearchedthefivetollbarsusingmapsandbuildingevidencesupportedbyfamilyancestriesandbooksbySmith,SheldonandarticlesbyWard.

1Watchman’sHutandBaslowBridge

TheBridgeatBaslowwasoneofonlyaveryfewcrossingplacesovertheRiverDerwentinearlytimes.BaslowCourtRolls(DAJ1900-1)statethata(wooden?)bridgewasbuiltinthe1309andotherrecordsofthebridgeappearin1508and1679(PeakAdvertiser).Onerecordisfrom1500whenThomasHarrisonwasfinedforcarryingmillstonesover“Basselow”Bridge.

Thestonebridgewaserectedin1603(or1608or1609).ThedatedependsonthetranscriptionofaweatheredinscriptiontobefoundontheBubnellbank.Allcock’smapshoweditonthenorthwestsideandtheEnglishHeritagelistingstatesthatitisonthesouthwestside.Ihavebeenunabletoverifyitspositionsofar.Thebridgewasrepairedin1639andfurtherrepairshavebeenrequired,eveninrecentmemory,andoftenafterroadtrafficaccidents.Awell-knownphotographfrom1915showsacharabanchangingthroughtheparapetwallovertheriver.Thedatestonemayhavebeenlostorresitedduringtherepairs.Therehasbeenlesspressureonthebridgesince1925whentheNewBridgewaserectedashortdistancedownstreambuttherehavebeenatleasttwooccasionsrecentlywhenthestoneworkhasbeenretrievedfromtheriverbedandreinstated.

Thereisnosurvivingrecordoftollcollectionornightwatchmeninthe1600ssoitisuncertainifthetinystonehutwasinplaceintheearlyyearsafterthebridge’sconstructionbutitisinterestingtospeculateaboutthedateofitserection.Thenightwatchman’shutisfirstshownonasketchmapfromtheearly1830s.IhavebeenunabletofindadateforthereferencetoarecordinTheReliquarymentionedbyMrsNixon.“Baslowisfortunateinpossessingonitsprettyoldbridgeastonewatchboxwherethewatchmanshelteredinwetweather.Everyfitmanwascalleduponto

takehisturninwatchingthevillagefrom9o’clockatnightuntil6o’clocknextmorning.”Therearereportsthatnight-watchmenwereworkinginmanytownsandvillagesfromtheMiddleAgesandwatchhouseswereerectedinLondonwhichwerenomorethansmallhuts.ThissuggeststhattheBaslowhutcoulddatefrombeforethestonebridgewasbuilt,orfromthebuildingofthestonebridgeorcouldhavebeeninsertedafterthestonebridgewasbuilt.InspectionofthestoneworkfromtheRutlandInngardenandfromthestyleofthedoorwaysuggestthatitwasbuiltatthesametimeasthebridge.

TheonlyrecordoftollcollectingisfromthePeakAdvertiserwhichdescribedFrederickFaulkes,fromthenearbytollhouse,shelteringintheWatchman’sHutashesplicedropesittingonastoolandsmoking“foul”tobaccowaitingtotakethetoll,aroundtheendoftheturnpikeerainthelate1870s.

Thereisaphotographfromthemid-1900softhehutwithanironrailingacrossthedoorway.Complaintsweremadetothelocalcouncilabouttheaccumulationoflitterinside.Eventuallythisstructurewasremovedandthelittlehutstandstodayasaplaceforthechildrenofthevillageandothertouriststoenjoy,enteringthedinkybuildingafterfeedingtheducksatthefordbelow.HoweverIhavesomeconcernforthestateofitsfabricwhichmaybeunderminedbyashtreerootswhichhavegrowninthewallsincetheRutlandArmshasbeenunoccupied.

MaryBrady’sbedroom

Duringthelate1800sitwasusedbyanitinerantcalledMaryBradyasa“bedroom”.SheldongavemoreinformationaboutherlifeandIhaveusedinformationavailableonlinetoaddtohisreportwhichwasbasedonlocaltales.ShewasapatrioticIrishwomancalledMaryLynchwhoseemedtohaveusedthealias“MaryBrady”intheperiodafter1886.ThismaybeexplainedbythefactthatPhoenixParkmurdersofLordCavendishandThomasBurkeoccurredin1882,andshechosetoshowherpatriotismbysayingthatJoeBrady,oneoftheconspirators,washerbrother.Therearenumerousnewspaperreportsofherdrunken,violentbehaviour,herbadlanguageandincorrigibilityandsheappearedincourtsacrossDerbyshirebetween1880and1912eventuallytottingup101convictionsandspendingmuchofthistimeimprisonedinDerby.Herusualcrimewastogointoapublichouseandaskforfreedrink.Shewouldbecomedrunkandthenbeaskedtoleave.Shewouldgetviolentlyangryandwhenshewasejectedsheoftenbrokethepubwindows.Sheoftenneededseveralpolicementoremovehertogoalwhereshewaslikelytodamagethecells.Onotheroccasionsshewouldbefoundlyingdrunkinthestreetwhichattractedagroupoflaughingchildren.Itisrecordedthatshespenttenmonthsoutof1888incarceratedbecauseshehadcarriedoutsomanyoffences.ItseemedfromreportsthatshepreferredgoingtoprisonratherthanlivingintheBakewellWorkhousealthoughshedoesappearonthe1901and1911BakewellUnionWorkhousecensusrecords.

HoweverwhenshewassobershemusthavehadredeemingqualitiesasshenursedtheWorkhouseinmatesduringthe1892/3smallpoxoutbreak.Shehadmanyfriendsaroundthevillageswhofedher.OneBaslowman,EdmundHodgkinson,wasafavouriteofhers.HewasaCatholicwhoworshippedattheCatholicChurchatHassop,asshemayalsohavedone.Afterhediedin1901hewasburiedinBaslowchurchyardandtherearenumerousreportsofherlayingwildflowersonhisgraveorsleepingnearby.Itseemstohavebeeninthisperiodwhenshesleptcurledupinthelittle“house”onthebridge.InfactshewasfounddeadnexttohisgraveoneafternooninSeptember1913.Locallegendhasitthatshefrozetodeathonenightonhisgrave.Inviewofthetimeofyear

thisseemstobeanembellishedstory.SheherselfwasburiedinGraveno.1oftheCatholiccemeterysoherlastclaimtofameisthatshewasthefirstburialatHassop.

2BaslowBridgeTollBar

Buildinghistory

Astudyofthewindowsinthetwonorthernwingsofthetollcottagesuggestsa1700sdate.ThiswouldbealogicaltimetoformaliseitsusefortollcollectionbecauseabranchoftheChesterfieldtoHernstoneLaneHeadturnpikewasopenedin1759whichpassedovertheoldBaslowBridgeonitswaytoHassopandBakewell.

Howeverthereissomeevidencethattheonestorey,mostnortherlypartofthehousemayhavebeenerectedinthesamecenturyasthebridge,andfurtherthatitmayhavebeenusedfortollcollectingorbridgewatchingfrombeforethebuildingoftheturnpikeroad.Ithasasmallwindowinthewalloverlookingthebridgewhere,reputably,tollswerereceivedbythelasttollcollectorFrederickFaulkes.Interestinglythiswindowhassomecharacteristicsofa17thcenturywindow.Conclusiveevidenceismaskedbyathicklayerofrendering.Furthermoreaninterestingreceiptdated1699wasuncoveredinanoldcupboardduringrenovationsatTollBarCottagesuggestingthatthebuildingwasinsitubythistime.Thehouseplanwasnotdesignedtomakethekeepingofthebaraneasytask.Thisisbecausealargefireplacewasoriginallypositionedinthewallwhichgivesanoversightofthebridgeanditschimneycanstillbeseentoday.Thisfireplacewouldmakeitverydifficulttoobservetrafficpassingoverthebridgemakingagoodreasonforthepositioningofthesmalladjacent“tollcollecting”window.

Usingthisevidence,itcouldbespeculatedthatasmallcottagewasbuiltinthe1600sthatwasunrelatedtotollcollection.Lateralittlewindowwasaddedtoallowaviewofthebridgepossiblyforbridgewatchingortollcollecting.Whentheturnpikewasbuiltinthe1700sthecottagewasenlargedwiththebuildingofthemiddlecrossextension,withanotherlittletollcollectionwindowinsertedintheeastwallnexttothefrontdoor(bothsinceblockedup).Thewindowsintheolderpartofthehousewereupgradedbuttherepositioningofthefireplace,amajorundertaking,wasnotcarriedout.

Mapevidenceforabuildingonthissiteexistsfrom1799.BythistimethecottagemayhavebeenlargerandpartofacomplexofbuildingstothesouthwhichincludedHolme(White’s)Farmwhichextendedintothepathofthepresentdaymainroadbythelychgate.

Intheearly1830sitwasintendedtoerectanewtollbarbuildingattachedtotheendoftheGreenManInn(RutlandArms).Theplanofthesitewithdetailsofthedimensionsofthewindows,doorandfireplaceexistsintheMatlockRecordOffice.ItispossibletointerpretthisdrawingasevidenceforanintentiontowidentheoldBaslowBridgeandtodemolishsomeorallofthetollhouse.Interestinglytherewasonlyonegateatthissiterestrictingmovementoverthebridge;theroadfromBaslowtowardsCalverwasnotgatedatthispointintheturnpikeroad.Contemporarydevelopmentduring1828-30ontheChesterfieldtoHernstoneLaneHeadTurnpiketookplacewhentheroadwasreroutedoutofChatsworthParkresultinginthebuildingtwonewbridgesinBaslowParishandtheconstructionoftheRobinHoodtollbar.FurthertherewasamajorrestructuringofBridgeEndinthisperiodtoimprovetrafficflowandincreasethesizeofthegraveyardwhenablockofhouseswasdemolished.SomeimprovementsofBridgeEnddidtakeplacebuttheoldtollbarandthenarrowbridgeremainintheiroriginalplaces.

By1848mostofthesepropertieshadbeenremovedtoextendthechurchyardandthetollcottageappearstohavebeenreducedinsizewhenitbecametheonlyremainingplotbetweentheeastendofthebridgeandtheapproachroaddowntothefordbesidethechurchyardtothesouth.WhenthecottagewassoldbytheTurnpikeTrustin1880,therewasaweighingmachine,machinehouseandthecottageitself.Weighingmachines(orweighbridges)wereanimportantpartofthemanagementoftheroad.Heavier,thinwheeledvehiclescausedmoredamagetothesurfaceandwerechargedatahigherrate.ThesiteoftheweighingmachineandassociatedhousewasshownonthefirstOSmap.Theywerepositionedapproximatelywherethebusstopistodayoutsidethelychgate.

TheDukeofDevonshireboughtthecottageandlandfromtheTurnpikeTrustfor£140whentheweighinghouseandtheadjacentweighingmachinearelikelytohavebeenremoved.Iwasinterestedtoseeifanyevidenceofthemachinemightcametolightwhenthewatermainswererefurbishedin2017butsadlythiswasanuntestedideabecausetheSevernTrentexcavationswerealittlefurthertothenorth.

Thecottageremainedwithonlyasmall“leanto”addedatsometimetothesouth,untilitwassoldin1954.Atthistimephotographsexistshowingthecottagewithayardandoutbuildingstothewest,someleaningonthebridgecurtainwalls.

In1955thehousewasextendedandmodernisedresultingin,forthemostpart,thefootprintwhichcanbeseenfromtheroadtoday.Anewlargetwostoreyblockwasaddedtothesouthandtheroofontheoldcrossextensionwasheightened.Evidenceofthiscanbeseenincomparingoldphotographsfromtheearly1950swiththosefromthepresentday.Alsointernallythewallsofthebathroomandbedroomhaveouterwallswhichhavebeenheightenedwithanextranarrowcourseabout0.3mhighuptotheceiling.In1958thekitchenwasmovedintoaconservatoryontheriversideandtherangeintheoldestroomwasremovedtomakealargebaywindowopeningtothenorth.

In1971astonebuiltkitchenreplacedtheglasskitchenandaconservatoryandgazebowasaddedtotherearwithaseparategaragetothesouthandwithimprovedtheaccessontoChurchStreet.Theownersalsomaintainedtheslopeoflandundertheirwallbetweentheriverandthecottageboundarytothewest,whichstillbelongstotheDukeofDevonshire.Thisdescribesthecottageasitexistsin2017.

Owners,tollcollectorsandotherresidentsatTollBarCottage,BaslowBridge

Owners

Theoriginalownershipofthecottageisdifficulttountangle.MostofthelandandpropertiesontheeastsideoftheRiverDerwentinBaslowwereownedbytheDukeofRutlandforseveralcenturiesuntil1850s.OntheDuke’s1799mapofBaslowthetollcottageisgivenaschedulenumberalthoughitisnotlistedintheschedule.In1803-1827DukeofDevonshirelentmoneytotheChesterfieldtoHernstoneLaneHeadTurnpikeTrusttopayforthetollgatesandthesemortgageswereonlydischargedwhentheTrustwaswoundupin1880.ThereforeitseemspossiblethattheTrustboughtthecottageintheearly1800sfromtheDukeofRutlandusingmoneyfromtheDukeofDevonshire.IntheBaslowTitheapportionmentof1848thecottageisownedbytheTurnpikeTrust.In1877thecottageandboundarieswereinneedofrepairandtheTrustagreedwiththeleaseetoimprovethewallnearthecottagetopreventtollevasion.

BythetimetheTrustwaswoundupin1880therehadbeenanexchangeoflandbetweenthetwoDukesandtheDukeofDevonshirenowownedthelandimmediatelyadjacenttothecottage.(InfactaccountsoftheTrustshowedthattheDukeofDevonshirewaspaid5/-fortherentofthegardenadjacenttothecottagein1877.)BecauseofthisthecottagewasofferedtotheDukeofDevonshirewhoboughtitfor£140.Theearliestexistingtitletotheproperty,dated1896,theTollBarconnectionwaslostasitwasrenamed“BridgeCottage”.InfactthecottagewasoftenreferredtoasTollBarCottageinsubsequentcensusesandelectoralrollsandthatnamewasrestoredformallyin1971bythelastowner.

In1954BridgeCottagewasboughtfromtheDukeofDevonshirebyArthurAllbrightonandafterrenovationwascompletein1958itwassoldtoAnnaMarieDeakinawell-knownladiesmillinerfromSheffield.OnmarriageshepassedittoherhusbandWalterPhilipGoldbyandafterhisdeathin1970shepassedittohernexthusbandPhilipAndrewNorman.

WhentheNormansmovedtoChesterfieldin1971thecottagewassoldtoJohnandJoanCattellandthelinktoitspastusewasrestoredasitwasadvertisedandnamedinthedeedsas“TollBarCottageformerlyknownasBridgeCottage”.Since1971theCattellshavemadefurtherimprovementsasdescribedbefore.After45yearsinresidenceJoanCattellhasrecentlysoldthecottageandanewownerhasarrived(2017).

Residents

TheearliestpossiblepeoplewithalinktothecottagewereRichardGreatbatchandJohnWhitonwhowerenamedinthedocumentof1699whichwasfoundonthepremisesduringalterationin1954.Ihavenotbeenabletofindoutanymoreaboutthisconnection.

Thenextnamescomefromtheerawhenthecottagewasatollbar.Thisislikelytohavestartedinapproximately1759whentheChesterfieldtoHernstoneLaneHeadTurnpikewasbuiltwithitsbranchovertheRiverDerwentatBaslow.TheearliestTurnpikeRecordcomesfromtheDerbyMercuryofAugust1771withanadvertisementforlettingoftollsatBaslow.TollcollectionendedwhentheTurnpikewasthrownopeninapproximately1880.

Ithasbeenquitedifficulttofindoutthenamesofthemanyofthefamilieswhowillhavecollectedthetollsandopenedthegateoverthislongperiod.Usinginformationfromthecensuses,theParishregistersofbirths,marriagesanddeathsandnewspaperreportsitispossibletonameafewofthem.SomeoftherecordsdonotindicatewhichofthefourBaslowBarswerebeingreferredtosotheremaybesomeerrorsinthispartofthearticle.

TheonlyprecensusrecordsthatIcouldfindisofSamuel,sonofSamuelWhiteofTollBarr,Baslow,whowasbaptisedin1794.ItisverypossiblethattheylivedatBaslowBridgeBarastherewasaWhitefamilylivingnextdooratHolmefarmatthistimeandthesonSamuelhimselflaterbecameafarmerinCalver.Between1816and1818tollswerecollectedasstonewasmovedovertherivertobuildthechurchatHassopasnotedintheiraccountsandin1836Catherine,daughterofGeorgeBoot“tollbarrkeeper”andSarah,wasbaptised.Inthe1848Enclosurerecord,WilliamThurgolandwasthetenant.InfacthehadleasedbothCupolaandBaslowBridgeBarsforseveralyearsaroundthistime.Thereforeitismorelikelythatthereweretollcollectorsresidinginthehouseemployedtotakethetollsandpaidbetween£4and£5perweek,asnotedintheTurnpikeaccounts.

OncetherewerecensusrecordsitispossibletobemoreconfidentoftheBaslowBridgebaroccupantsbytheidentificationoftheGreenManInn(orlatterlytheRutlandHotel)nearby.Inthe1841censusSamuelShibles(Stubbs?)wastollkeeperfollowedbyJosiahRobertsfromabout1845to

atleast1851,WilliamandAnnBoden(daughterMaryborn1855)JamesandHannahGarnerin1861(son,Georgebaptisedin1860)andJosephandAmyEadesin1871(daughterMaryEllenborn1865andsonJohnWassEadesborn1867).Josephleftthetollhousein1874whenhewasgrantedthelicenceoftheWheatsheafInn.Thiswasthestartofhisriseinsocietybecausehebecameaverysuccessfulinnkeeperandfarmer,inlaterlifemanagingthePeacockHotel(theCavendishHotel,today).

Overthisperiodnewspaperreportsnametollcollectorswhowerefinedfortakingtollsillegally–James(Josiah?)Robertsandhiswifein1845,GeorgeSharmanandCharlesBirksin1863andJubesAsquithandJosephEades,bothin1874.Threeothertollcollectingfamilywererecordedintheparishbaptismregisters–FrederickWragge,sonofJohnandMary,in1858andRhona,daughterofJamesandMargaretBarnardin1869.Grace,daughterofFrederickandEmilyFaulkeswasbornon19October1879,andwasthelastchildtobebornintheturnpikeera,whichendedonthe31thofthemonth.TheFaulkesfamilymovedheretocollecttollswithJobSlackin1878afterkeepingtheRobinHoodbar.Asmentionedbefore,aletterinPeakAdvertiserof1990recallsFrederickFaulkesshelteringintheWatchman’sHutsittingonastool,smokingandsplicingrope.ItisalsorecordedthathecollectedtollsthroughthesmallwindowinTollBarCottagefacingthebridge.

AftertheturnpikeroadclosedthecottagewassoldbytheTurnpikeTrustandownershippassedtotheDukeofDevonshire.RecordsofresidentsinthismorerecentperiodcomefromtheCensusrecords,newspapers,electoralregistersandoralhistory.TheFaulkesmovedtoBakewellandthetollhouseseemedtobeunoccupiedbythe1881census.Afterthisthecottagewaslettoasuccessionofpeople,onewithtiestotheDevonshireestate.

EllenWyer(Weir,Wear)livedthereinthe1891census.Shewasawidowwithfouryoungchildrenwhosehusbandwasapainteranddecorator.Bythe1901censustwoofherchildrenweregardenersandsometimeafterthisshewaslikelytohavemovedoverthebridgetoacottageontheBubnellsideoftheriver.Shediedin1925andisburiedinBaslowchurchyardwithherhusbandCharles,andchildrenCharlesjuniorandSarahAnnandclosetoheroldcottage.

Inthe1911censusCharlotteRileywaslivinginthecottagewithheryoungdaughter.ShewasanotherwidowandreceivedapensionfromtheDukeofDevonshirewhichsuggeststhatherhusbandSamuel,agardener,hadworkedfortheChatsworthEstate.(Asanaside,inthe1880sSamuelRileymanagedtheBaslowGasWorks.HehadtakenthisoccupationafterhisfatherJosephhaddied-hewasmanagingtheWorksin1871.)

By1920ArthurNoton,apainteranddecorator,waslivingtherewithhismotherHannah.HerdeathatTollBarCottagein1923wasrecordedinalocalnewspapernotice.Hecontinuedtolivethereuntil1929.

In1930JohnLomas,awoodman,livedinthecottagewithhismaidenauntHannahEvans.TheywerefromafamilywhoworkedthelandatHandleyBottomFarm.Whenhediedin1942Hannahcontinuedtoliveinthecottageuntilherdeathin1954.

TheDukeofDevonshiresoldthecottagetoArthurandMarjeryAllbrightonwhocarriedoutmajorrenovationsandextensionsandwholivedthereuntil1958.TheownershipofthecottagethenpassedtoacolourfulladyknownasMadamMarie,ahighclassmilliner,whoownedashoponDevonshireStreet,Sheffield,wholivedtherefrom1959to1971.AnnaMarieDeakinimmediatelymarriedPhilipGoldby,aheadteacher,andlaterhadonesonwhodiedininfancy.In1970herhusbandalsodiedandshesoldthecottagetoJohnandJoanCattell.ShemarriedagainandmovedtoChesterfield.Iwastouchedtofindmemorialstoherhusbandandyoungsoninthegraveyard

overlookingthecottagebutfurtherworkshowedthatshehadherownmemorialclosebyto“AnnaMarieNorman,Millinerofdistinction”.

ThefortyfiveyearsofCattellownershiphasjustcometoanendasthecottagehasbeensoldandtherearenewresidents(in2017).

3CupolaBar

Buildinghistory

AnewturnpikeroadwasbuiltfromOwlerBartoBaslowin1816.SheldonsaidthattheCupolatollcottagewasbuiltin1818andthatthetopCupolaCottage,tothenorth,wasusedforcollectingtollspriortoitsconstruction.Thiscorrespondswithanewspaperadvertisementin1817publicisingtheauctionoftolls“onthenewroad”andgavethevalueofthepreviousyear’stolls.IntheBaslowTithe1848,thetollhousewasownedbytheDukeofRutlandandoccupiedbytheTotleyRoadtrusteessuggestingthattheDukefinancedthebuildingoftollbarsonthenewroadandthattheTrustrenteditfromtheDukethroughouttheperiodoftollcollection.Thepropertyincludedaplotoflandaroundthehousetakinginpartofthemoorupthehilltothesouthandeastandthereisalsoagardenontheoppositesideoftheroadtothewest.

Amapdated1810showstheproposedrouteoftheSheffieldtoBaslowTurnpikeviaOwlerBar.TheCupolaCottagesontheeastsideofthenewroadandtheBarkercupolasiteonthewestsideoftheroad,areclearlyshown.HoweverthereisnorecordonthemapofabuildingfurtherdownBaslowHillatthesiteofthepresentdayTollHouse.ThissupportsSheldon’srecordthatthehousewasbuiltasatollbar.

Thereisevidencethatthecottagemayhavebeenrefurbishedduringitslifetime.Thetypicaltollcottagebaywindowoverlookingtheroadwasmadeofdifferentsizedstonesuggestingthatthismayhavebeenaddedatalaterdatetoaidtollcollection.

TheOwlerBartoBaslowturnpikeroadwas“flungopen”on1November1880andthechangewascommemoratedbyDrWrenchin1911.Heerectedastoneonthewestsideoftheroadoppositethetollhouse,inscribedasfollows.“G.R.ThisancientTurnpikeerectedinthereignofKingGeorge111wasre-erectedatCoronationKingGeorgeVJune22,1911byE.M.Wrench,M.V.O.”Sheldondescribesitinmoredetail.“Thereisapegonthetopofthestone,andapieceofwoodwithahole,wasturnedroundbythepressureofthebody,…whichcouldbeusedbythepedestrianwhocouldpasswithoutpayingtoll,orhavingtowaitatthegateuntilthekeepercameoutofthecottage”.

Thecottagewasoriginallymadeupofalivingroomontheroadside,twosmallbedroomstotherearwithalean-topantrytothenorthandawoodstoretotheeast.Inthe1974salebrochureitisdescribedasabungalowwithseparatepanclosetandnomainswater,thesupplybeingprovidedbyaspringwhichalsofedatroughatthecottagesupthehill.

In1975acardroveintothestonebaywindowandthecarcametorestinthefrontroom.Thedriverarrangedtohavethecarextractedfromtherubblebutdidnotreporttheaccident.Acannypieceofsleuthinginvolvingthefamilyresultedinthediscoveryofboththedamagedcaranditsdriver.Unfortunatelythehousewasmadeunsafebytheaccident,itsfatewassealedandeventuallyallbutthenorthfacingwallwasdemolished.TheWalkers,thecurrentowners,constructedanewbuildingonthelandupthehilltotheeastandpartofthenewhouseisonthefootprintofthetollhouse.Anicetouchisthatallthestoneandoakbeamshavebeenreused:stonefromthepantry

wasincorporatedintoafireplace,oneoftheolddoorsisnowinuseinabedroomandthemeathooksfromthepantryareinthenewkitchen.

Owners,tollcollectorsandotherresidentsoftheCupolaTollBarCottage

Tollcollectionislikelytohavestartedin1816andendedin1880but,liketheBaslowBridgeTollBar,ithasbeenquitedifficulttofindoutthenamesofthemanyofthefamilieswhocollectedthetollsandopenedthegateoverthis64yearperiod.

Thefirstrecordofanamerelatingtothecottagewasin1829whentheSheffieldIndependentreportedthedeathofMrMatthewWaid,surgeon,ofCupolabar.Isuspect,butcannotbesure,thathewasnotaresidentbutratheranunfortunatetravellerwhowastakenillonthisstretchofroadandthetollhousewasaconvenientplacetoprovidehisfinalcare.Inthe1841censusfourmenarerecordedatCupolawhoaredescribedaslabourers.TheywereGeorgeBowler,GeorgeMottram,JarvisBeswickandJohnBettany.Incensusrecordsatothertollbarsitwascommonforthespecificoccupationoftollcollectortogounrecordedandsometimesotherevidencefromtheperiodcanbefoundsothatthetollcollectorcanbenamed.Unfortunatelynocomplementaryevidencehasbeenfoundonthisoccasionsothepersonworkingthebarcannotbeidentified.

Atsometimeinthe1840s,theBrownfamilybecamethetollcollectorsatCupolabar.In1848MarydaughterofWilliamBrowndiedatCupolaBarandinthe1851censusWilliamBrown,invalid,andHannah,hisotherdaughter,wereworkingthegate.Thisrecordmakesthisfamilytobethefirstrecordedtollcollectors.

Bythe1861censustheBrownfamilyhadmovedtokeeptheRobinHoodBarbutthecensusrecordisasuninformativeasin1841concerningCupolaBar.TheonlyfamilynotedlivingatCupolawasJohnandEstherNavin.JohnwasfromIrelandbuthadworkedasanagriculturallabourerfirstinCalverin1841andthenatCupola,untilhisdeathin1884.ThefamilylivedinacottageownedbytheDukeofRutlandwhichwascapableof“expanding”toaccommodateseverallodgers.TheNavinsmayhavecollectedtolls.HoweveritispossiblethatbythistimetheBeswickfamilyconnectiontotheCupolaBarwasalreadyinplace.JarvisBeswickwasaturnpikelabourerandhissonJohnBeswickaged24,who,inlatercensuses,wasrecordedasatollcollector,waslivingwiththefamilyonBaslowHill.Bythe1871censusJohnBeswickwaslistedascollectingtollsinBaslowandin1875hisresidenceisgivenasCupolaBarwhenhischild,Katewaschristened.AlsoWardnotedthatJohnBeswickkepttheRobinHoodbarfrom1875to1877butthenreturnedtoCupolaBaruntiltheroadwasdisturnpiked.JohnBeswick‘sfamilywererecordedaslivinginthetopcottageatCupolainthepostturnpikeera(Sheldon)andheworkedasaroadmenderandlabourerinthe1881-1911censuses.

WhentollcollectionceasedthecottagewasthenrentedtoWilliamWoodiwissseniorbytheDukeofRutlanduntilhesolditin1927tothenextgenerationoftheWoodiwissfamilywhoownedituntil1974.ThenownershippassedtotheWalkerfamily.

TheWoodiwissfamilyoccupiedthetollbarcottagefromatleast1891.WilliamwasaBaslowpainterinthe1881censusandmovedupBaslowHillwithhiswife,AnnieMaria,duringthisdecadetobecomeatenantoftheDukeofRutland.ShecamefromtheStruttfamilywhoranacaférestaurantatNetherEnd,BaslowattheturnofthecenturyinthebuildingwhichisIvyHouse,thePottery.Thereisaveryindistinctpictureofher,sittingintheRobinHoodInninthemid1860s,tobeseeninthe1934ClarionRamblersHandbook.Inthe1891censusWilliamWoodiwisswaslivinginTollBarcottagewithAnnieandfivechildren,Williamjunior,Anne,Elizabeth,ErnestandMay.Itwas

attheoldCupolabarthatErnestwasbornin1885,andwheretheirinfantsonJohnCharles,wasbornandaccidentallysuffocatedin1893.

ThereseemedtobequiteanumberofWoodiwisstooccupythislittlecottagesoitisnosurprisetofindthatinthecensusesof1901and1911someofthechildrenhadtakenupresidencewiththeiraunt,ElizabethStruttatNetherEnd(Williamjunior,ElizabethandErnestin1901andWilliamjunior,ElisabethandMay,withbabyOlivein1911).TheparentsWilliamandAnneMariewerestilllivingattheoldtollcottagewhenthesecensusesweretaken.Eventuallyin1927theDukesoldthecottagetotwoofthelocalWoodiwisschildren,WilliamjuniorandMay,andtheyraisedamortgagewithsuretyfromElizabethStrutt.Elizabethherselfdiedatthecottagein1928anditcontinuedtobelivedinbymemberstheWoodiwissfamilyformanyyearswithrecordsexistingforAnnieMarie(died1931)Williamjunior(died1946),May(Statham,InghamneeWoodiwiss,died1963)andherdaughterOlivelivingthereatvarioustimes.DavidDalrymple-SmithrecordsthatMissWoodiwissprovidedrefreshmentstoramblersandcyclistsfromthecottageinthemid-1900s.InrecentmemoryJaneWalkercanrecallOlive,whowasaBaslowpostwoman,walkingupanddownthehillfromBaslowtothecottage.

In1972Olivediedandin1974thepropertywasputupforauctionandeventuallyitwasboughtbyJaneWalkerwhohaslivedtherewithherfamilyuntilthepresentday.TheyhavealteredanddevelopedthesitemakingalovelyspacioushomenamedTollBarHouse.

4MillstoneBridgeandRobinHoodTollBars

Historyofthebuildings

Inapproximately1759theChesterfieldtoHernstoneLaneHeadTurnpikeroadwasbuiltpassingfromBleakHousetotheRobinHood(thepresentB6050).InthosedaystheroadmadeasteepdescenttothehamletandthenitpassedovertheHeathyLeaBrookatMillstoneBridgeandfromtherethroughpresentdayChatsworthParklandtoBaslow,enteringthevillageatNetherEndovertheoldbridgespanningBarBrook.

ThefirsttollcollectioninthisareawasattheMillstoneBridgeTollBar.Itwaserectedatanisolatedspotonthesouthsideofthecourseoftheoldturnpike.Wardbelievedthatitcameintousesometimebetween1770sand1790s.ThereisnoobviousroadjunctionalongthisstretchoftheturnpikebuttheexplanationforitssitingatthisplacemaybethelucrativetollstobecollectedfromthemovementofquarrytrafficandcoalcartsfromnearbysiteswhichjoinedtheroadtotraveldowntotheRiverDerwentcrossingatBaslow.

AminorimprovementtotheOldBramptonroadwasmadeinapproximately1769whenitscoursewasbuilttofollowthepresentdayB6050.ThecurvedsectionwasmadetoreducethesteepnessoftheapproachroadtotheRobinHood.ThisdidnotaffecttollcollectionatMillstoneBridgeBar.

AsecondbranchoftheTurnpikefromChesterfieldwasbuiltin1812viaWadshelfandpassedtothesouthofHeathyLeaBrookatSheepwashBridge.ItthenjoinedtheolderturnpikefromBramptonatthesouthsideoftheMillstoneBridge.AnauctionoftollswasadvertisedforMillstoneBridgeTollBarinthisyear.

TheexactsitingofthetollhousewasdescribedbyWardwriting80yearslater.Hebelievedthatitwasapproximately100yardswestofthebridgeontheoldturnpikeroadtowardsBaslowwherethestraightwallboundingtheBrookbecomescurvedforabout5yards.Thisbendisshownonthe6

inchOS,1899.Itwasbelievedtobetheplacewherefootpassengerscouldpassaroundthetollgate.ThedistinctivehollytreenotedbyWardonthesouthsideoftheroadoppositethiscurvedwallstillactsasalandmarkbutthehousewasdemolishedandthestonewasusedbyMarpleswhenhewasbuildingtheBaslowHydroin1880.

Howeverbetween1823and1827amajorreroutingoftheWadshelfbranchoftheturnpiketookplacesothatitpassedonthenorthsideoftheHeathyLeaBrookalongitsfulllengthfromSheepwashBridge,followingthecourseofthepresentdayA619intoBaslow.ThisimprovementbecamenecessarybecausethebanksoftheHeathyLeaBrookwereoftenwashedawaybyflashfloodingfromEastMoor.Evenlargerevetmentsalongitscoursedidnotsolvetheproblem.ThereroutingalsosuitedtheDukeofDevonshirewhoextendedChatsworthParktothesouthbankofHeathyLeabrook.TheturnpikeroadwhichhadreachedBaslowthroughtheParkwasremovedcompletely.ThepositionoftheMillstoneBridgeTollHouseontheoldroadmadeitredundant,sobetween1827and1830anewtollhousewasbuiltjustsouthoftheRobinHoodInn,atthepointwherethepresentdayB6050joinstheA619.Newspaperreportsoftollauctions,aParishregisterchristeningrecordandaletteractuallyaddressedtotheMillstoneBridgeTollBarmakedateoftheopeningofthenewroadandtheclosureoftheoldtollhouseasintheperiod1828to1830.Theprevioustollcollector,JohnKay,andhisfamilyappearedtohavemovedtothenewtollhousebeforethebirthofhisson,registeredaslivingattheRobinHoodin1830.

ThedesignfortheRobinHoodTollHousestillexistsintheDerbyshireRecordsonpaperdated1827.Itshowsasinglestoreybuildingwiththreeroomsanda“leanto”extensiononthebackwall,dividedintofourspaces.Ithadadoublecentralchimneystackandfinemouldedstonesurroundingthewindowsandfrontdoor.ThefirstOSmapsurveyedin1876-8showsthehousepositionedonatrafficisland(recentlyremovedin2015)wheretheB6050andtheA619meetsouthoftheRobinHoodInn.Itguardedtwogatesandtherewasapedestrianaccessontheeastsideofthehouse.ThefrontdooroverlookedtheA619butthesidewindowswerelargerthanthoseatthefronttoimprovemonitoringoftrafficpassingupanddowntheroads.

TheSurveyoroftheRoad,MatthewFrost,workedforboththeChesterfieldtoHernstoneLaneTurnpikeTrustandtheEdensortoAshfordTurnpikeTrustaswellasthreeotherTrusts.Hesupervisedthebuildingandrefurbishingofseveraltollhousesaround1830anditappearsthatheusedthebasicsamedesignforanumberofthem.WhenthetollhouseatHassoproundaboutwasrefurbishedin1830anoteismadethatitshouldbelikethe(Robin)HoodBar.TheHassopbuildingstillexiststodayalbeitmaskedby20thcenturyadditions.IhaveestablishedthattheRobinHoodbarislikelytohavelookedverysimilartotheHassoptollbar.UsingthemeasurementsanddrawingsofRobinHoodBarfromthearchiveplan,IcomparedthemwiththoseoftheolderwindowsanddooroftheHassopTollHouse.Theyarealmostexactlythesame.

Themysteryof“YeOldBaslowTollBar”windowinCalver.

WhentheTurnpiketrustwaswoundupin1879thehouseandgardenwasofferedtotheDukeofRutlandfor£50buthedidnottakeontheownership.ThepersonwhoactuallyboughtandthendismantledtheTollHouseatthistimeisnotknown.

Thetollbardoesnotappearonanysubsequentmapssupportingtheideathatitwasdemolishedshortlyaftertheroadsweredisturnpikedin1879.

ThereisamysteryconcerninganoldsculpturedstonewindowframetobefoundinamodernbuildinginCalvercalledFoldsHouse.Oneofitswindowshastheframewith“YeTollHouseBaslow,demolished1879”carvedintoit.Therehasbeensomediscussioninthepastaboutwhetherthe

windowwasfromtheBaslowBridgeortheRobinHoodTollHousebutmostpeoplenowbelievethattheinscriptionwasnotreferringtotheBaslowBridgebuilding.OnfirstinspectionthewindowappearstobeverysimilartothoseshownonthearchivedrawingoftheRobinHoodHouse.HowevermeasurementsofthestonesurrounddonotconcurinseverallengthsandIamnotsureifthiswindowactuallycamefromthedemolishedBaratRobinHoodbuthadnotbeenmanufacturedaccordingtotheplan.Alternativelyitwasmanufacturedasan“antique”atalaterdate.

Thewindowfirstappearsinthemodernrecordin1930whenanarticleandphotointheDerbyshireTimesshowthecarvedstonesurround“recentlyerectedbyMrTumber”asafeatureinhisgarden.IthasbeensuggestedthatMrTumberhadafamilylinkwiththeRobinHoodtollhousebutIhavebeenunabletofindevidenceofthis.Duringthe1880swhenthetollhousewasdemolishedMrTumberwasworkinginSheffieldasasilversmith.Hismother,HannahHartley,camefromSheffieldbutshehadnoBaslowconnection.Laterinlifehewasknowntohavemanyantiques,asalonglistofhispossessionswereadvertisedforsalein1905.Maybeheacquiredthestonewindowsurroundwhileantiquecollecting?

Ilookedintotwootherpossibleexplanations.In1880thepreviousoccupieroftheCalverplotwascalledWilliamEades,thebrotherofJosephEades,whowasatollcollectorandTrusteeoftheTurnpikeTrustformanyyears.DidhereceivethewindowstonesurroundfromJosephandkeepitatthefamilyplotinCalver?AnddidMrTumber,wholivedinHollyhockCottageontheplot,decidetomakeafeatureofthesculpturedstoneonhispremisesatalaterdate?Curiouslythe1930erectionincludedpartofacopperfireplacewhichisnotcontemporarywiththedateofthetollhouse(1830-1879)suggestingMrTumberusedmiscellaneousitemsfromhisantiquecollectiontomakethegardenfeature.

AnotherexplanationforthesurvivalofstonefromtheRobinHoodtollhouseinaCalvergardenwassuggestedbyDavidDalrymple-Smith.TheFroggattfamily,whohavelongassociationswiththeRobinHood,alsohadfamilyconnectionstotheplotinCalver.ThisisshownintheHassopEstatesaleparticularsof1918whenJonathanFroggattheldthetenancyofthegardennexttothecottage.CouldtheFroggattfamilyhaveacquiredthestonewindowsurroundin1879andmovedittotheCalversite?

ThefeatureerectedbyMrTumberisrememberedbyJuliaBeswick,alongtermresidentofCalver,fromthe1940speriod,aswellasaprefabricatedhutinthegardenwhicheventuallywasusedaslivingaccommodation.Thestoneseemstohavebeenburiedinthegardenbecause,in1980s,itwasunearthedwhenthe“bungalow”wasreplacedbyastonecottagecalledFoldsHouse.Thewindowwasincorporatedintothenewhouseasafeaturebythefrontdoor.Whenthehousewasextendedin2002theornatewindowwasrepositionedinthekitchenandreglazed.

TollcollectorsofMillstoneBridgeandRobinHoodtollbars

AswithotherlocaltollbarsitisdifficulttobesureofmanyofthepeopleassociatedwithtollcollectingespeciallybecauseolderrecordsarelesscompleteandanyoftheTrustsminutes,whichdosurvive,didnotrecordthisinformation.

TheonlyfamilywithevidenceoflivingatMillstoneBridgeisJohnKay(Key)andhisfamily.UsuallyevidencelikethisisprovidedbytheParishRegistersbutinthiscasethereisauniquesurvival.In1826hisdaughterMary(Maria)wrotealetteraddressedtoJohnKey,MillstoneBridgeTollbar,whichiskeptintheMatlockRecordOffice.Itisadelightfulaccount,writtenwithfrequentspelling

mistakes,ofthelifeofayounggirlinserviceawayfromhomeinthebigcityofManchester.TherecordofthebirthofJohnKey’sson,Charles,in1830seemstoimplythatthefamilyhadmovedtocollecttollsatthenewlybuiltRobinHoodbarbythisevent.

CensusrecordsprovidemoreinformationabouttheRobinHoodtollcollectors.In1841Obadiah(Elijah)WheatcroftlivedtherewiththiswifeSidia(Lidia)anddaughterElizah.In1844/5SarahAndertondiedthereandin1848,atthetimeoftheTitheAward,SamuelKeywasthetollcollectorandwaspaidbetween£4and£5,asnotedintheTurnpikeaccounts.HehadatenyearassociationwiththeTollBarappearinginthe1851censusandontwooccasionsasawitnessincourtin1857/8.In1860JosephGreenwood,tollcollector,wasfinedfortakingillegaltollfromapoliceconstableandHannahBrownalsocarriedoutthesameoffence.Inthe1861censusWilliamBrown,aninvalid,andhisassistant,Hannah,hisdaughteraged17werecollectingtolls.In1868WilliamSomerset,tollcollector,summonedSamuelColefornotpayinghistoll.Bythe1871censusAndrewBeswick,andhiswifeEllen,weretollcollectorsandhissonJohnwasbornattheBar.BothAndrewandJohnBeswick,atCupola,weregrandchildrenofJamesBeswickofBaslowanditmayhavebeenthatAndrewtookthetollcollectionrollforafewyearsafterJohn’srecommendation.AnotherpossiblelinkwithturnpikeworkarosebecauseEllencamefromtheEadesfamilyofCalverandherbrotherJosephwasalsoatollcollector(atOwlerBarTollGatein1861andBaslowBridgein1971census).

WardsaidthatJohnBeswickfromCupolawasoneofthelasttollcollectoratRobinHood,possiblytakingoverfromAndrewinabout1872,andthathereturnedtoCupolain1875-77.FrederickFaulkesandJobSlackwereworkingatRobinHoodwhentollcollectionceasedin1879andtheymovedtoBaslowBridgetollBar.AnewspaperobituaryonthedeathofMrsFaulkesin1933suggeststhatthebuildingwasdemolishedalmostimmediatelyafterdisturnpiking.

Acknowledgements

SpecialthankstoDavidDalrymple-Smith,BaslowHistoryGroupJoanCattellandTrishaLashley,BaslowBridgeTollBarJaneWalker,CupolaBarSueAdam,RebeccaWaddington,AngelaJohnson,JohnSewell,JohnBarnattandPhilipHeath,PDNPAOldHouseMuseum,BakewellMatlockRecordOfficeSheffieldLocalStudiesLibraryKimEdmonds,RowdaleTollBarJosieDunsmore,CupolaBarPeterBrettAssoicates,BaslowBridgeWatchman’sHutJuliaBeswick,CalverVickyWilsonandDarrenJohnson,lateofFoldsHouse,CalverAnnAndrews,BurginLaneTollGate,StarkholmesJaneTaylor,EadesfamilyhistoryAidanHaley,ChatsworthArchivePaulFreeman,CanalRiverTrustOlgaTrustcott,BakewellFamilyHistoryGroupFrankParker,LongstoneLocalHistoryGroupJohnSheldon“AShortHistoryofBaslowandBubnell”HowardSmith“TurnpikeTrail–GleadlesstoCalver,SheffieldtoBaslow”GWBWard,ClarionRamblersHandbooksAndaspecialthankstoChrisHallforreadingthemanuscriptseveraltimesandbeingalongfortheride.

AppendixI

Careertollcollectorfamilies

AsIgatheredtogetherasmuchinformationasIcouldabouttheBaslowtollbarsandtheirresidentsIbegantowondermoreaboutthefamilieswhocarriedoutthetollcollection.Weretheypeoplewhocamefromlocalfamilies?Weretheypeoplewhomadeacareeroftollcollecting?Didtheystayatonetollbarormovearoundthecountry?WiththesequestionsinmindIcarriedoutfurtherresearchandthefollowingsectiongivessomeanswers.Inplacesitmayseemquiteoverburdenedwithfacts–apologies.Thisisdonetoprovideevidenceformygeneralcomments.

TheevidenceforthedatesistakenfromCensuses,parishregistersofbirthsanddeathsandfromnewspaperreportsofincidentsatthetollbaritselfbuttheactualperiodthatapersonwasactuallytollcollectingatabarmayhavebeenlonger.Alsoitisimportanttorememberthatthewifeandolderchildrenwereaslikelytohavebeenpartoftheteamalthoughitisveryseldomthatthiswasacknowledged.

Careertollcollectorswhowerebornlocally

JohnKay(1780-1865)whocollectedtollsattheMillstoneBridge(betweenatleast1826and1829)andRobinHood(in1830)wasfromafarmingfamilybasedatRobinHoodandClodHall.HisfatherWilliamKay(Key)(1757-1836)wastheillegitimatesonofSarahKeyand,reputably,agentlemancalledMrRedmondorRedman.WilliamclearedcommonlandandbuiltahouseatClodHallonEastMoorandlaterhemovedtoRobinHoodFarm.JohnwashiseldestsonandheworkedthelandatClodHallfromatleast1806.JohnalsocollectedtollsatGrangeBar,Holmesfield,threemilestothenortheastofRobinHoodontheB6050,between1810and1818.Thecensusesof1841,1851and1861recordthathewasafarmerandturnpikelabourer.ItseemsthathewassupplementinghisfarmingincomewithworkingfortheTurnpikeTrust.HeandhiswifeCharlottewereburiedinBaslowchurchyard.

TwoofJohnKay’schildrenwereconnectedtotollcollection.Hisson,SamuelKay(1825-1900)workedforatleasttwentyyearscollectingtolls.HewasatRobinHoodbetween1851and1859,atStoneyMiddleton(today,theonlyGrade2listedfishandchipshipinthecountry)between1860and1864.ThreeofhisyoungchildrenareburiedduringthisperiodinBaslowchurchyard.HecollectedtollsatBritanniaRoadBar,Morley,Yorkshirebetween1870-1.Inthe1881censushewasaroadlabourerinBierley,YorkshiresoitispossiblethathewasatollcollectoruntiltheroadsweredisturnpikedandthentookuproadmendingworkwiththeCouncil.HediedinYorkshire.

JohnKay’sdaughterMary(laterknownasMaria)(1810-1852)wasbornatGrangeTollBaranditwasshewhowrotethetouchingletterfromManchester,toherparentsatMillstoneBridgeTollBarin1826,whichstillsurvives.ShemarriedJarvisBeswickwhowaspartofanotherwell-establishedlocalfamilylivingatNetherEndandCupola.ShehadonlyashortwalkfromCupola,underGardom’sEdgetoRobinHoodtovisitherfamily.ShewasthemotherofJohnBeswick,anotherlocallegendarytollcollector.(Ward,withoutthebenefitofinternetaccess,wasconfusedbyafamilyriddleoftwodaughters,onecalledMaryandanothercalledMaria.Ihavebeenabletoclarifythisrelationship.

Johnhadadaughter,Mary,bornin1807whochangedhernametoMariaaroundthetimethatshemarriedJohnBeswick.Maryhadacousin,Maria,bornin1797atMoorsidetoRebeccaKeywhowasherfather’ssister.Thisisthiscousinwhoisthe“Mariah”whoismentionedinMary’sletterfromManchester).

JohnBeswick’sfather,Jarvis,wasaturnpikelabourerandwithhismother,Maria,havingtollcollectinginthefamily,itisnotsurprisingthatJohn(1836-1924)wastobefoundinTollHousesinthe1870sastheturnpikeeracametoaclose.HeisrecordedasworkingatBaslowBridgein1871andatCupolaBar,withan18monthperiodatRobinHoodbetween1875-7.FortherestofhislifehelivedatCupolaCottage,northoftheCupolaBarandformanyyearsworkedasaroadlabourer.BothJohnandElizabeth,hiswife,wereburiedinBaslowchurchyard,closetohisparents,JarvisandMaria.

HemusthavebeenaverypersonableandinterestingmanbecausebothWardandSheldonwroteeloquentlyabouthim.Thesearesomeoftheircommentsabouthim.“Hewasatallmanforthe1800sstandingat5ft.10½in.,sparselybuildandawellpreservedspecimenofmoorlandmanhood.Hediedinthesamehousethathehadbeenbornin,at88½yearsofage.HewasoneofNature’sgentlemen,withasweetpersonality.Hisroadmendingextendedtoscythinglocalfootpathstokeepthemopenforwalkersandtokeepingcleanthehorsetroughnexttohishouse.Heknewmuchaboutlocalplantsandusedtheirhealingproperties”.

Joseph(1833-1924)andEllenEades(1835-1878)werefromaCalverroadmendingfamily.In1861JosephkepttheOwlerBarand,betweenatleast1865and1874,kepttheBaslowBridgeBar.HeextendedhistollcollectingdutiestoincludegametendingatStoneLowandbeingamailgigcontractortransportingparcels.Theseoccupationsbothresultedincourtcaseswhereheappearedfortheprosecutionashewasshotatbythenotoriousgamepoachernamed“Captain”in1864andwasthevictimofembezzlementbyoneofhisgigdriversin1870.DespitethishisenterprisesmusthaveflourishedbecausehebecamethetenantoftheWheatsheafInn,Baslowin1874andby1891wasthetenantofthePeacockHotel(CavendishHotel,today),bothofwhichweresuccessfulcoachinginnsatthetime.HealsoservedontheBaslowandBubnellUrbanDistrictCouncilinthesurveyorrole.LatterlyhefarmedatBubnell,keepingracehorsesatCrossFarmandwaspossiblyoneofthefewtollcollectorsIhaveresearchedwhobetteredtheirpositioninlife.Ihaverecentlyfoundanewspaperphotoofhim,standingoutsidethedistinctivestepsfromthemainroadtotheoldPeacockHotel.Thisportrait,alongwithoneofEmilyFaulkes,representtheonlyonesthatIhavebeenabletofindofBaslowtollcollectors.

HissisterEllenEadesmarriedAndrewBeswickfromBaslow,whowasalimeburnerinCalverandacousinofJohnBeswickfromCupola(whoselifeisdescribedabove).In1870-1EllenandAndrewkeptthebaratRobinHoodbutreturnedtoCalverandhadnofurtherconnectionwithtollcollectingasfarasIcandiscover.

JohnWraggewasabasketmakerwhowasbroughtuplivinginthe“old”OwlerBartollcottagenexttothe“new”OwlerTollBarwherehemayhavestartedasatollcollector.TherearerecordsforhimworkingattollbarsinMatlock(1851),possiblyCalver(1855-6),Baslow(1858),Sheffield(1861),StoneyRidgeBar(1869)andOwlerBar(1871)wherehefarmeduntilhisdeathaftertheroadwasdisturnpiked.

Careertollcollectorswhocamefromoutofthearea.

JabezAsquith(1818-1895)wasfromThornhill,nearDewsburyanditwasherethathestartedlifeasashoemaker,wherehemarriedandhadchildren.HearrivedinDerbyshireinabout1850andcollectedtollslocallybetweenatleast1851and1874(NetherPadleytollbaratGrindlefordBridgein1851to1856,possiblyBaslowbridgein1860,Starkholmes,BurginLaneinMatlockparishin1861,FroggattTollBarin1865,NetherPadleyforasecondtimein1871andBaslowBridgein1874).Thisoccupationallowedhimtocontinueshoemaking(orsometimesrecordedascordwaining).HeremainedinBaslowasashoemakeraftertheroadsweredisturnpikedanddiedtherein1895.HeandseveralmembersofhisfamilyareburiedorcommemoratedintheBaslowChurchyard.

TheBrownfamilycamefromYorkshirebutseveralofitsmemberscollectedtollsinthelocalarea.ThefatherWilliam,whowasaninvalid,keptthebarsatCupolafrom1848to1851andatRobinHood,aidedbyhisdaughter,Hannahin1861.Inthiscensushiswife,alsocalledHannah,washelpingtokeeptheCalverBarwithhissonWilliam,andanotherson,George,waskeepingtheWardlowMiresbar.In1865WilliamseniordiedandwasburiedinBaslowChurchyard.Hannah,hiswifeandHannah,hisdaughterreturnedtoTickhillwheretheykeptthebarbythebridgeonSunderlandRoad,withThomas,hisson,whoworkedasahighwaylabourer.

JosiahRobertswasashoemakerwhocamefromKirkBurtonandkepttheBaslowBarinthe1840sand50s.By1861hemovedtocollecttollsonLondonRoad,StokeonTrent,againcombiningtheoccupationwithshoemaking.

JamesBarnardfromPontefractcollectedtollsfornearlyadecadeandmovedaroundtheNorthMidlands.TherearerecordsforhimatMopField,Longton(1861),IngleField,Longton(1862and1866)andBaslow(1869).Bythe1871censushekeptabeerhouseinSheffieldwhereheremaineduntilhedied.

WilliamBodenwasborninEckingtonandcollectedtollsatBaslowBar(1855)andRenishaw(1861),andpossiblyBeauchiefBarin1851.HereturnedtoEckingtonby1871andcarriedoutlabouringjobsuntilhisdeath.

Summary

ItseemsthattollcollectingfamiliesweredrawnbothfromthelocalareaaswellasfurtherafieldwithinDerbyshireandYorkshire.

Somefamiliesworkedascollectorsovertwogenerations.SomefamilieswereroadlabourersforaTrustandtheirchildrenbecametollcollectors.

Somefamiliesmovedfromonetollhousetoanotherandothersspentmuchoftheirlifeinonetollhouse.

SomepeoplewerecareertollcollectorswhospentmostoftheirworkinglifeworkingforTurnpikeTrusts.SomecontinuedtoberoadlabourersoncetheTrustsweredissolved.

Somefamiliescombinedtheirtollcollectingwithotheroccupations,mostlylabouringaswellasshoemakingandbasketry.

Appendix2

Listofnamesmentionedinthearticle

Key

1. TheWatchman’sHutandBaslowBridgeTollBar2. BaslowBridgeTollBar3. CupolaBar4. MillstoneBridgeandRobinHoodTollBars

Alcock1

Allbrighton,ArthurandMarjery2

Anderton,Sarah4

Asquith,Jubes2

Barnard,James,MargaretandRhona2

Bettany,John3

Beswick,Andrew,EllenandJohn4

Beswick,Jarvis,John,Elizabeth,Kate,Maria34

Beswick,James4

Beswick,Julia4

Birks,Charles2

Boden,William,AnnandMary2

Boot,George,SarahandCatherine2

Bowler,George3

Brady,Mary(Lynch,Mary)1

Brown,William,Hannahsenior,Hannahjunior,Mary,Williamjunior,ThomasandGeorge34

Cattell,JohnandJoan2

Cole,Samuel4

Dalrymple-Smith,David4

Deakin,AnnaMarie(alsoGoldby,Norman)2

Devonshire,Dukeof2

Eades,Joseph,Amy,MaryEllenandJohnWass24

Eades,Ellen(Beswick)4

Eades,William4

Evans,Hannah2

Faulkes,Frederick,EmilyandGrace124

Froggatt,Johnathan4

Frost,Matthew4

Garner,James,HannahandGeorge2

Greatpatch,Richard2

Goldby,AnnaMarie(alsoDeakin,Norman)2

Goldby,WalterPhilip2

Greenwood,Joseph4

Harrison,Thomes1

Hartley,Hannah4

Hodgkinson,Edmund1

Kay,RebeccaandMariah4

Kay,John(Key),Charlotte,CharlesandMary(alsoMariaBeswick)34

Kay,Samuel(Key)4

Kay,William(Key)andSarah4

Lynch,Mary(Brady,Mary)1

Lomas,John2

Marples,John4

Mottram,George3

Navin,JohnandEsther3

Nixon,Mrs1

Norman,AnnaMarie(alsoDeakin,Goldby)2

Norman,PhilipAndrew2

Noton,ArthurandHannah2

Redmond,Mr.(Redman?)4

Riley,Charlotte,SamuelandJoseph2

Roberts,Josiah(James?)2

Rutland,Dukeof3

Sharman,George2

Sheldon,John3

Shibles,Samuel(alsoStubbs)2

Slack,Job24

Somerset,William4

Strutt,Elizabeth3

Thurgoland,William2

Tumber,ThomasHenry4

Waid,Matthew3

Walker,Jane3

Ward,GHB34

Wheatcroft,Obadiah(Elijah),Sidia(Lidia)andElizah4

White,Samuel2

Whiton,John2

Woodiwiss,Williamsenior,AnnaMaria(neeStrutt),Williamjunior,Anne,John,Charles,Elizabeth,Ernest,May(Woodiwiss,Statham,Ingham),Olive3

Wragge,John,MaryandFrederick2

Wrench,E.M.3

Wyer,Ellen,Charlessenior,CharlesjuniorandSarahAnn(alsoWeirorWear)2