Twixt Thistle & Rose

12/06/2020 by Northumberland Archives

A MISSING SINCE SATURDAY-MAGGIE PARK

Whilst checking the catalogue entries of our Police posters which were completed by the Twixt Thistle and Rose volunteers, I came across this one which caught my attention, particularly as it was a local one relating to Berwick. It was very striking and made me want to find out who Maggie Park was and what happened to her.

Firstly I looked to see if her disappearance had been reported and there was this short snippet in the Local News section of the Berwick Advertiser on 16 September 1887 :

GIRL MISSING – On Saturday forenoon about half past nine o’clock, a girl named Maggie Park, 12 years of age, living with her brother, James Park, shoemaker, 14 Church Street, Berwick, was sent a message to Mr Rankin’s shop in High Street. Since that time the girl has not been heard of or seen anywhere. She wore a brown felt hat, grey ulster and cape, green dress and lacing boots at the time of her disappearance.

This gave me some additional information as I originally assumed that James was her father, not her brother. Searching the 1891 census revealed that James was a shoemaker, aged about 25 in 1887, originally from Scotland and married to Catherine.

I was intrigued to find out if Maggie was ever found and this was where it got very interesting. The Berwick Advertiser contained the following article on 23 September :

A YOUNG GIRL’S ENTERPRISE – Last week we stated that Maggie Park, a girl twelve years of age, living with her brother, James Park, shoemaker, Church Street, had not been seen since the forenoon of Saturday 10^th September. It has now been ascertained that she set out from Berwick to walk to the house of her father, near Glasgow, a distance of fully 100 miles. She had got as far as Edinburgh before she was discovered.

I was relieved to hear that she had been found but was amazed that she had tried to walk that distance, not something many people, never mind a child would contemplate. I wondered what happened to her in the interim and quite by chance. In the same bundle of posters, I came across a handwritten letter, dated 13 September 1887 about Maggie which had been sent by Inspector M Fraser of Dunbar Police Station to John Garden, Superintendent of Berwick Police.

In the letter Inspector Fraser indicated that she had arrived there by train from Haddington at 3.30 pm, stayed until 7pm and then travelled back to North Berwick. If the police were contacted at North Berwick, they could detain her. Obviously that didn’t happen as she wasn’t found until much later in Edinburgh. What happened to her in between is a mystery.

Where was she going and who was her father ? The 1911 census indicated that James Park was born in Linlithgow about 1862. I checked the 1871 census and found a James Park, aged 9 living with his mother and father, Peter and Margaret in High Street, Linlithgow. Peter was also a shoemaker. By the next census, 1881, Peter was a widower and neither James nor Maggie were with him on the census night. However, I found Maggie, aged 7 in Cambuslang in the household of her married sister, Helen, now called Ellen. James at this stage was working London and was a boarder in a house in the Cavendish Square area . His occupation was listed as shoemaker. Peter, the father is missing from the 1891 census but he appears again in 1901 – listed as a patient, aged 76 in Linlithgow. Presumably in a hospital or institution. He died in 1908, aged 84.

What happened to Maggie ? So far, I have not been able to find out anything further about her. She doesn’t appear on later censuses and so she is a mystery.

However, I have been able to find some additional information on her brother. James who remained in Berwick through local newspapers. He married Catherine Elizabeth Redfearn, daughter of a local innkeeper on 30 June 1883 at St John’s Church in London and must then have moved to Berwick. In the 1901 census, James and his wife, Catherine were living at 1, Marygate. By 1911, they were living at 3 Summerhill Terrace in the north end of the town. They had no children. The couple continued to live there for the rest of their lives – Catherine died on 23 January 1933 (not long before their golden wedding anniversary), aged 71 whilst James died on 6 February 1951, aged 89.

It was only when I looked at James’ obituary that I realised who he was.

The obituary which appeared in the Berwick Advertiser on 8 February 1951 stated that he was one of the last surviving makers of hand made boots who had come to Berwick 67 years previously ( around 1884) . His business was originally in Church Street and then he moved to his premises at the corner of Marygate and Hide Hill. To many a person with connections to Berwick , this was Park’s corner, the home of “The Bootman” , a business which closed its door for the last time on 31 May 2003

Undertaking family history research can take you in so many different directions and along the way, you never know what you will find. When looking at the poster, I wanted to find out about the young girl but in the end, I found out more about her family and her brother, whose business was very much a part of Berwick in the past. One thing leads to another !

Alnmouth Indenture, 1798

23/07/2018 by Northumberland Archives

Signed Sealed Delivered by the within named John Yelloly being first duty stamped in the presence of us

A. Mitchell

J. Poivell

Signed Sealed and delivered by the within named

William Robson, Richard Robson, James Elder, Luke Mattison and Robert Robson being first duty stamped in the presence of us

Margaret Collingwood

William Chambers

This Indenture made the fourteenth day of September in the thirty eighth year of the reign of our sovereign Lord George the third by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King defender of the faith and so forth and in the year of our lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety eight between John Yelloly of Chatham Barracks in the County of Kent Doctor in Physic and son and heir at law and also administration of the goods and Chattels of June Yelloly of Alnwick in the County of Northumberland widow deceased William Robson late of Dunstonhill in the said County of Northumberland but now of Milfield in the same County Innkeeper Richard Robson of Humbleton buildings in the said County of Northumberland Farmer James Elder of Alnwick in the said County of Northumberland Grocer Luke Mattison of the same place Hardwareman and Robert Robson late of Belford but now in Alemouth in the said County of Northumberland yeoman of the one part and William Annett of Alemouth aforesaid on the other part Witnesseth that for an din consideration of the sum of five shillings of lawful money of Great Britian to the said John Yelloly by William Robson Richard Robson James Elder Luke Mattison and Robert Robson in hand well and truly paid by the William Annett as on before the sealing and delivery of these presents the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledge they the said John Yelloly William Robson Richard Robson James Elder Luke Mattison and Robert Robson have and each of them Hath bargained and sold and by these presents Do and each of them Doth Bargain and the said William Annett his Executors Administrators and Assigns All that piece and parcel of Ground in length Eleven yards from South to North with apputances situate lying and being in Alemouth in the said County of Northumberland on the East side of the said Town Boundering on the other piece of Ground lately belonging to William Coulter and now Ralph Annett on or towards the South a piece of Ground formerly belonging to Edward Gallon or John Watson and now to the said Edward Gallon on or towards the North a place called Holme or Howle Kiln on or towards the East and the Kings High Street on or towards the West and also all those Freehold ( ) Burgages Granaries or Tenements gardens and Common of Pastures there unto belonging with the appurtances situate standing lying and being in Alemouth aforesaid in the said County of Northumberland which said ( ) Burgages or tenements and premises were formerly in the possession of William Reavelley his tenants undertenants or assigns late of Richard Robson deceased and lately in the possession Tenure or occupation of Thomas Adams and George Richardson William Stephenson and others as tenants thereof and now of _____________________________as tenants thereof to and under the said William Robson and Robert Robson and are boundered by a lane called the Middle Lane on or towards the North by a ridge or piece of Ground belonging to Edward Gallon Esquire on the South by the Kings High Street on the West and Alemouth Common on the east And also that Maltkiln or Maltsteep and other conveniences and appurtances there unto belonging situate standing and being in Alemouth aforesaid boundered by a piece of Ground formerly belonging to Michael Coulter and now Ralph Annett on or towards the South by a piece of ground belonging to Edward Gallon Esquire and towards the North by a place called Holme or Holme Kiln towards the East by a piece of Ground formerly belonging to the said Richard Robson deceased now to the said William Robson and Robert Robson on towards the West and by the other the Right ( ) and bounds formerly in the possession of John Grey a bankrupt late of the said Richard Robson deceased afterwards in the possession Tenure or occupation of Thomas Annett Tenant and William Watson and Tenants thereof and now of Thomas Annett Tenant to and under the said William Robson and Robert Robson And also all and singular other Messuages Burgages or Granaries Tenements Maltkiln or Malt steeps and part and part share and shares of Messuages Burgages Granaries or Tenements of him the said Richard Robson deceased and now of them the said William Robson and Robert Robson situate and standing lying and being in Alemouth aforesaid in the Parish of Lesbury in the County of Northumberland Together with all and singular houses outhouses Edifices Granaries Maltkilns Maltsteeps Buildings Barns Byars Stables yards Backsides (scites) of old buildings Garths Gardens Orchards Lofts Crofts lands arable and not arable Meadows pastures headings Commons and common of pasture ( ) Moors Marshes Heathes waste grounds warrens Woods Underwoods and tress Piscaries fishings and fishing places Ways Watercourses and watering Places Paths Passages Easements Priviledges Liberties profits Commodities Advantages Emoluments Herediments and Appurtances whatsoever to the said premises and to every or any of them belonging or in any wise appertaining on to or times herefore demised letter held used occupied possessed or enjoyed or accepted reputed taken or known to be as part parcel or member thereof one of any part thereof respectively and the reversion or reversions remainder and remainders rent issues and profits thereof and of every part and parcel thereof

TO HAVE AND TO HOLD this said part and parcel of Ground Messuages Burgages Granaries Gardens Maltkilns Tenements Here and all and singular other the premises therein before by these presents Bargained and sold or intended so to be with their and every of there appurtances unto the said William Annett his Executors Administrators and Assigns from the day next before the day of the date of these presents for and during and unto the full end and term of one whole year from thence next ensuing and fully to be complete and ended yielding and paying therefore unto the said John Yellowly William Robson Richard Robson John Elder Luke Mattisson Robert Robson there Heirs and Assigns the rent of one peppercorn on the last day of the said term if the same shall be lawfully demanded to the intent and purpose that the virtue of these presents and by force of the statute made from transferring of use into possession he the said William Annett maybe in the actual possession of the said piece and parcel of Ground Messuages Burgages Granaries gardens Maltkilns Tenements Herediaments and all and singular other the premises herein before by these presents Bargained and sold or intended so to be with their and every of their appurtances and may hereby be enabled to accept and take a grant and Release of the reversion and Inheritance thereof to him and his Heirs to for and upon such cases ends intents and purposes as by an Indenture to bear date of these presents shall be mentioned expressed and declared of and concerning the same In Witness where of the said Parties to these presents have here unto set their Hands and Seals the day and year first above written.

Signatures and Seals of

John Yellowly

William Robson

Richard Robson

James Elder

Luke Mattisson

Robert Robson

We would like to thank the volunteer who carefully transcribed and researched these documents. This particular item comes from a very rich sub-collection within the larger Dickson, Archer and Thorp collection, giving us a fascinating view of a bygone time.

This Week in World War One, 27 August 1915

08/03/201828/08/2015 by Northumberland Archives

BERWICK ADVERTISER, 27 AUGUST 1915

EARLY SHOP CLOSING IN BERWICK

Although it may appear on first examination to be inflicting a hardship on some people to close the merchants’ shops at six o’clock in the evening still it has to be borne in mind that we are living in very abnormal times. It is a time when sacrifices have to be made, and the man or woman who exhibits any hesitancy in adapting himself or herself to the special and exceptional times manifest a want of true consideration to help their country in the hour of its direct necessity. The highest and supreme sacrifice has been paid by many a family during the terrible times we have passed through. The closing of business establishments a few hours earlier is a small matter in comparison therewith, and if it is to safeguard the lives of the community and frustrate the cowardly intentions of an unseen enemy nothing should stand in the way of adopting the most stringent and exacting precautions. There is no reason why a shopkeeper should not be able to close early if the public determine to assist in this direction. If the public resolved to discontinue patronising a particular shop they would very effectively close that shop altogether.

Early 1900s photograph of Marygate, Berwick-upon-Tweed. Berwick Record Office, BRO 1636-3-16

The early closing of business premises, therefore, depends wholly on the public being alive and educated to the fact. And as the early closing does not effect locally till the 1^st October there is ample time for all customers to realise the fact, as well as for the various merchants taking adequate steps to meet the inauguration of the new hours. The easiest way to meet the new situation is either for the customer to send in a list of his orders early, or else for the merchant to call at the customers’ residences and take a note of these. On Saturday evening there should be no hardship inflicted, for all will surely manage to purchase there weekend provisions before nine o’clock. Indeed, at the Town Hall meeting, there were no real solid arguments adduced against closing earlier, and as soon as the public can thoroughly comprehend the hours the new method should be found to work quite smoothly in a small borough such as Berwick. No merchant need be afraid of losing his customers, as these will quickly respond to the altered circumstances, and they will not desert patronising a particular shop where they think they have an inducement to buy. Although there was a small minority against the motion which became the finding of the meeting it was very gratifying to observe how whole-heartedly they fell in with the majority. Unanimity means success, and all that is now required is that the various merchants should take full advantage of the reasonable interval before 1^st October in reminding all their customers of the changed hours to suit the exceptional needs of the country’s peril.

BERWICK PETTY SESSIONS

Friday

Before Captain Norman, R.N., and J.McNab, Esq

Hanselling of Spittal Lock-Up- A large crowd gathered in the precincts of Spittal’s new Police Station on Thursday afternoon. The occasion was not the opening ceremony of the imposing building by the civic fathers but merely the new cells receiving their first occupant. The crowd again gathered on Friday morning with a view to seeing the delinquent take her departure to the more commodious quarters of Berwick Police Court. However the curious ones were disappointed for the prisoner was taken out by the back door while the crowd waited patiently at the front door. Following upon the foregoing events Mary Johnson, married woman Lanark, was charged with being drunk and disorderly near the Forge, Spittal, at three p.m. on Thursday afternoon. Defendant pleaded guilty, Sergt. McRobb said that upon receiving a complaint he proceeded to the Forge and on the grass

A half crown coin (2s 6d), the sum of which Mary Johnson from Lanark was fined, with the alternative of seven days imprisonment. — A half crown coin (2s 6d), the sum of which Mary Johnson from Lanark was fined.

near there found defendant lying in a drunken condition. Defendant had been creating a disturbance and on witness attempting to lift her to her feet she drew forth her hat pins from her hat, and by this action exposed witness to the hatpin peril by attempting to thrust the aforesaid pin into his leg. Foiled in this defendant refused to walk to the lock-up but witness obtained a trap and she was driven there in state. In defence defendant said she had met someone home from the Front. The Chief Constable said defendant had 2s 6d in her possession. Captain Norman-We will relieve you of that half crown with the alternative of seven days imprisonment. The Chief Constable said defendant was the first to be locked up at the new police station at Spittal.

Berwick Advertiser, 27 August 1915 Playhouse advert.

BELFORD CENTENARIAN

MRS ISABELLA LEARMOUTH OF ROSS

A happy event was celebrated at Ross, Belford, on the 5^th August, when Mrs Isabella Learmouth, wife of the late George Learmouth, North Sunderland, attained her 100^th birthday. Mrs Learmouth, who is the daughter of the late Mr Robert Geggie, is in good health, retains all her faculties and at present is always busily engaged knitting socks and comforts for the troops. On the morning of her birthday she received many letters of congratulations and birthday cards from the following- Rev. J and Mrs Miller, Belford; Mr J. and Misses Blenkinsop, Ross; Miss Arthur, Chathill; Mr David Black, Berwick; Miss P. Aynsley, Blyth; Mr Adam Jefferson, Spittal; Mrs Margaret Clark, Beal; Mrs Hunter, Ross; Misses Ross, Grange Mill; Mr John English, Bedlington; Miss M. Davison, Ross; Miss A. Heffen, Ross; Mr James Hoje,(sic) Ross; Mr George Hope, Ross; Miss M.G.Clark, Newcastle; Mr and Mrs W. Learmouth, Gosforth; Co-operative Society, Ltd, Wooler; Mrs Young, Ross; Miss I. Learmouth, Ross; Mrs Gibson, Bltyh; Mr J. Mole, Belford.

To mark the occasion a birthday cake was made and presented to Mrs Learmouth by Mrs Graham and family, Belford. Mrs Learmouth also sent a birthday cake to her grandson at the front, Lance Corporal George English, 7^th N.F., to celebrate the event with his comrades in the trenches. It will be the wish of all that Mrs Learmouth may be long spared to enjoy the quiet eventide of life.

In the 1911 Census, Isabella is living with Alexander Hope, her son-in law at New Shoreston in Bamburgh. According to the Census, she was born at Ayton in Berwickshire.