Author: Volunteers

Pick’s 5-horse dog cart was one of the cars to be exhibited at the Stanley Cycle Show in London in 1900. A very detailed description of his dog cart is shown here, (please scroll down to ‘Pick’).

Stamford-born John Henry ‘Jack’ Pick, originally a blacksmith, became well-known as a manufacturer of farm equipment and bicycles. In later life he changed careers to be a successful greengrocer.

There’s a lot more on Twitter about Pick Motors including a photo, taken at the 2018 Stamford car show on the meadows, of a 1912 Pick Doctors Coupe which is said to be still local to Stamford.

‘The “Pick-of-All” Water-Cooling 5-Horse Dog Cart

WHICH ATTRACTED SO MUCH ATTENTION AT THE

STANLEY SHOW IN LONDON.

APPLY FOR PARTICULARS TO

J. H. PICK & CO., STAMFORD.’

The Stamford Post, March 1st, 1901.

Advertisements for Dennis’s Lincolnshire pig powders are now collectors’ items. They cure almost every disease of pigs and those of all kinds of poultry too.

DENNIS’S CELEBRATED LINCOLNSHIRE PIG POWDERS, PROPRIETOR J.W. DENNIS, LOUTH.

DENNIS’S CELEBRATED LINCOLNSHIRE PIG POWDERS speedily arrest Disease and save Life. The Proprietor challenges the world to produce their equal for the following amongst other Diseases:–

Colds, Retention of Urine, Tender Feet, Inflammation, Costiveness, Milk Fever, Coughs, Fits, Hoose, &c.

These Powders are an excellent Medicine and Condiment : by their use Pigs fatten more rapidly and attain a larger size.

Sold everywhere in packets, with full directions on each, six doses for 5d., twelve for 10d.

Sold everywhere. Chemists and others not having them in stock will readily procure them.

WHOLESALE of STURTON & SON, Peterborough ; BEALL and SON, Cambridge ; LOFTHOUSE & SALTMER, Hull ; NEWBERRY and SONS, TIDMAN and SONS, HOVENDEN and SONS, and W. MATHER, London.

May be had wholesale and Retail of the Proprietor and Inventor, JOHN W. DENNIS, Chemist, EAST-GATE, LOUTH.

LOCAL RETAIL AGENTS.

MARCH, MR. F., Chemist, High-street, Stamford ; Peterborough, STURTON and SON, J. H. Pearson, and ARTHUR CARLTON, Dispensing Chemist, 18, Long Causeway ; March, VAWSER ; Wisbech, BOOR ; Spalding, BIRCH.

Stamford Mercury, 20th June, 1879.

For all parents with a teenage daughter, worry no more. If you can procure Dr. Williams’ pink pills, all life’s woes will disappear. They cure weakness, loss of appetite, depression, headache, backache, anaemia, etc. – if only life were so simple. A handy book is still available for those who don’t know how to take the pills.

‘ABOUT YOUR DAUGHTER

No Longer a Child

Perhaps you have already noticed that your daughter in her “teens” has developed a fitful temper, is restless and excitable, and often in need of gentle reproof. In that case, remember that the march of years is leading her on to womanhood, and at this time a great responsibility rests upon you as parents.

If your daughter is pale, complains of weakness and depression, feels tired-out after a little exertion ; if she tells you of headache or backache, do not disregard these warnings. Your daughter needs help, for she is most probably anaemic–that is, bloodless.

Should you notice any of these disturbing signs, lose no time but procure for her Dr. Williams’ pink pills, for her unhealthy girlhood is bound to lead to unhealthy womanhood.

What Dr. Williams’ pink pills can accomplish is instanced by the case of Miss M. E. V. Mearing, of 2, Sunningdale Cottages, Harlington-road, Hillingdon, Uxbridge.

“A year or two after entering my teens,” she said, “I began to feel listless and tired out. I completely lost my appetite, and what little food I did eat caused indigestion. I was frequently attacked with faintness and headaches. The slightest exertion caused palpitation and breathlessness. Though always tired, I could not sleep.

“I was nervous, and the least noise would set me trembling. I grew paler and thinner, and suffered pain almost unbearable.

“A doctor told me I was suffering from anaemia, but medicine did not seem to do me any good. I began to think I should never get better and grew terribly depressed.

“Then I happened to read how Dr. Williams’ pink pills had cured a girl of anaemia, and I thought I would try them. By the time I had taken the second box I began to feel the benefit. My appetite improved and I became brighter.

“I continued with the pills and gradually regained my strength. Headaches no longer troubled me, and I could run upstairs without losing my breath or getting palpitation. My nerves became steady, and all traces of anaemia disappeared. I now enjoy excellent health, and I have only Dr. Williams’ pink pills to thank.”

Dr. Williams’ pink pills for pale people enrich the impoverished blood of girls and women, and by doing so they repair waste and prevent disease. They give to sickly drooping girls health, brightness, and charm, with colour in the cheeks, sparkling eyes, a light step and high spirits. Let your daughter begin them to-day ; any dealer supplies these pills ; but ask for Dr. Williams’.

FREE.–Of interest to all girls and women is the little book, “Plain talks to Women.” Offered free to those who send a postcard for a copy to Hints Dept., 36, Fitzroy-square, London, W.1.’

Stamford Mercury, 9th January, 1920.

Goldsworthy Gurney‘s interests led him to work in many fields, from boiler systems to improving the ventilation system of the House of Commons and developing the Limelight used in theatres. He took out many patents, including one in 1827 for his new steam carriage.

‘Mr. GOLDSWORTHY GURNEY, whose name is already familiar to most of our readers, after a variety of experiments, during the last two years, has completed a STEAM CARRIAGE on a new principle. The boiler is tubular, constructed upon philosophical principles, and upon a plan totally distinct from any thing previously in use. It is composed of a succession of welded iron pipes screwed together in the manner of the common gas-pipes, forming a sort of inverted horse-shoe, and the space between is the furnace ; the whole being enclosed with sheet-iron. A contemporary journal states, “Mr. Gurney, who was educated a medical man, has actually made the construction of the human body, and of animals in general, the model of his invention.”

Coke or charcoal are to form the fuel, by which means smoke will be avoided. The carriage would carry six inside and fifteen outside passengers. In front of the coach is a very capacious boot ; while behind, that which assumes the appearance of the boot is the case for the boiler and the furnace. The length of the vehicle is fifteen feet, and with the pole and pilot-wheels, twenty feet ; of the front wheel three feet nine inches ; and of the pilot-wheels three feet. There is a treble perch by which the machinery is supported, and beneath which two propellers, in going up a hill, would be set in motion, somewhat similar to the action of a horse’s legs under similar circumstances. In descending a hill, there is a break fixed on the hind wheel to increase the friction ; but independent of this, the guide has the power of lessening the force of the steam to any extent. By this means also he regulates the rate of progress on the road, going at a pace of two miles or ten miles per hour, or even quicker if necessary. There is another lever also by which he can stop the vehicle instanter, and in a moment reverse the motion of the wheels, so as to prevent accident, as is the practice with the paddles of steam-vessels. The guide keeps the vehicle in its proper course, by means of the pilot-wheels acting upon the pole, like the handle of a garden-chair.

The weight of the carriage and its apparatus is estimated at 1½ ton, and its wear and tear of the road, as compared with a carriage drawn by four horses, is as one to six. When the carriage is in progress the machinery is not heard, nor is there so much vibration as in an ordinary vehicle, from the superior solidity of the structure. The engine has a twelve-horse power, but may be increased to sixteen : while actual power in use, except in ascending a hill, is but eight-horse.

Mr. Gurney has already secured a patent for his invention ; and he has our best wishes for his permanent success. If the steam carriage can be made general, its effects will be more important than even those of the steam-boat, as being applicable to a greater variety of purposes, more easy of employment, and involving less expence.

Mr. Gurney’s steam coach has been running every day last week in the Regent’s Park and the New Road. On Thursday, amongst other distinguished personages, besides Don Miguel, the Duke of Athol visited the carriage, as was so delighted with its appearance, that he insisted on being allowed to ride in the interior. As there are no steps yet fixed, and his grace is somewhat advanced in years it became necessary to lift him in. He remained in it for half an hour, and when he descended, acknowledged that he had never been driven better.’

This is a précis of a much longer article appearing in Drakard’s Stamford News, 18th January, 1828.

The phrase ‘a nation of shopkeepers’ is commonly attributed to Napoleon about the English, but did he ever use it? Or perhaps it was Adam Smith in his magnum opus ‘The Wealth of Nations’? And is the phrase derogatory or complimentary? Whatever the case, shopkeepers in 19th century London had their ‘absurd extravagance’ regarding the size and quality of their windows regulated by the Chief Justice of the King’s Bench.

“The Corsican’s reproach, that we are “a nation of shopkeepers,” has a new illustration in the window of a fancy dealer’s shop in the Quadrant, Regent-street, Piccadilly. The window is one entire pane of thick glass, measuring eight feet by six. The value of it is said to be 200l. Should a person in passing accidentally break it, the law (according to a recent decision) will not oblige him to pay more that 3s. 6d. to the owner, the Chief Justice of the King’s Bench having declared that shopkeepers may not increase the common perils of society by absurd extravagance in the size and quality of their windows and shop decorations.”

Stamford Mercury, 25th May, 1827.

For those who like a puzzle, here’s a very old one, not just a puzzle but an acrostic rebus. Two weeks later the answer to this puzzle appeared in the paper, please see below. Did the lady appreciate it though?

“For the LINCOLN, RUTLAND, and STAMFORD MERCURY.

ACROSTIC REBUS,

On Miss ——–.

A Creature fierce whom Hercules did tame,

A goddess who for gard’ning is in fame;

A city where an ivory statue stood;

What queen Semiramis to build thought good;

The first idolator —a monarch he;

Join these initials and the name you’ll see

Of an ingenious, lovely, charming fair,

Who’s lately caught my heart in Cupid’s snare.

Stamford. LEANDER.”

Stamford Mercury, 2nd February, 1789

“For the LINCOLN, RUTLAND, and STAMFORD MERCURY.

Answer to the Rebus in our paper of January 2.

NO sooner I the th’initals [sic] had set down,

Directly then appear’d the name of BROWN.”

Stamford Mercury, 16th February, 1789

Corsets were a necessity for previous generations of women. No respectable woman would venture outside without squeezing herself into the fashionable shape of the moment.

“Fashion Decrees that 1915 Costumes shall define the lines and assert the pose of the NATURAL FIGURE. The lines of Bust must be long and sloping, the front effect slightly incurved, and for the Hips absolute freedom.

NEVER WAS CORRECT * CORSETING * MORE NECESSARY.

Ladies relieve themselves and their costumiers of ALL RESPONSIBILITY by wearing CORSETS “La Cybele” (PARIS MODELS) which give the right poise to every figure and add a distinctive charm not to be secured by other means.

Prices from 4/11 to 3 gns.

Illustrated Book, “The Corset Beautiful,” or special portfolio of SELECT CORSET DRAWINGS free from

G. H. TURNER & CO. 3 HIGH STREET, STAMFORD.”

Stamford and District News, 7 April, 1915.

A few months later corset fashions had changed a little and the following advertisement appeared.

Special Display in Corsets

• SEE OUR WINDOWS
• J.B. Corsets 2/11 ¹⁄₂.
• From 1/11 ¹⁄₂ to 8/11.
• Meys Corsets2/11 ¹⁄₂.
• From 1/11 ¹⁄₂ to 8/11.
• G. H. TURNER & CO.,
• 3 HIGH STREET, STAMFORD.

Stamford and Rutland News, 25th August, 1915.

In earlier times whalebone was used as an added stiffener. Luckily, we can only imagine how uncomfortable these items of clothing were.

• “NEW PATENT, CORSET, THE DUCHESS.
• DIAGONAL WHALEBONE FRONT.
• PATENT TAPER BUSK.
• AFFORDS PERMANENT SUPPORT.
• REDUCES AND IMPROVES THE FIGURE.
• Secures a graceful and fashionable appearance.
• SOLD BY CHARLES CHARGE,
• 8 HIGH-STREET,
• STAMFORD.”

Stamford and Rutland Guardian, 27 December, 1878.

The Hope Post-coach travelling between Stamford and Doncaster had been established in 1826 and operated from Standwell’s Hotel, Stamford. When a competitor began operating from Doncaster in 1827, the proprietors of the Hope post-coach felt it their duty to take action to enable them “to withstand an unnecessary and monopolizing opposition”. Clearly, coach travel was a precarious but lucrative business.

“NO FEES TO COACHMEN ! DONCASTER and STAMFORD HOPE POST-COACH.

The proprietors of the above Coach have with surprise observed an advertisement in the Doncaster Gazette, which states that Messrs. Wood, Dunhill, Whincup, Horner, and Company, having discovered “that the towns of Doncaster and Stamford, and the intermediate places, are not well accommodated,” intend to set out a coach to run betwixt those places, to start at eight o’clock every morning, and to be called The Times,- which announcement seems intended to insinuate that the public on that line of road had been hitherto unaccommodated with a Day Coach running at the same hours,- whereas the truth is, that a Coach called The Hope was established nearly twelve months ago, on the same principle as the London and Bath Coaches, viz. the Company paying their own Coachmen, who are not allowed to ask passengers for any fee, and still continues to run, leaving the RED LION INN, DONCASTER, and STANDWELL’S HOTEL, STAMFORD, every Morning at Eight o’clock, and arriving at those places respectively at half past Six in the Evening.

The Proprietors feel it a duty due to their friends and the public to thank them for the support which The Hope has hitherto received, and trust that, by adhering to their original determination to keep one steady regular pace, they shall continue to receive such support as will enable them to withstand an unnecessary and monopolizing opposition. THOs, STANDWELL & Co.

Stamford, May 16th, 1827.”

Stamford Mercury, May 18th, 1827.

A Christian burial in a churchyard with a clergyman administering the last rites used to be everyone’s wish in Victorian England. Ultimately, the dead child of the soldier in this article had a better resting place than many paupers in the past. For the London poor a pauper’s burial probably meant sharing their grave with as many as 17 to 18 bodies and the grave was not closed until the quota of bodies was reached. Paupers’ graves were very deep, sometimes as deep as 58 feet and the smell could not escape, hence the gravediggers’ deaths.

“On Friday afternoon a private in the Guards, whose child died, wishing to bury it as decently as possible, borrowed a pall from an undertaker ; but on the funeral procession reaching St. John’s churchyard, Westminster, the sexton refused them admission without some particular fee for the pall. The soldier had no money, and at last he took the coffin on his shoulder and carried it to the grave, which had been given to him by the Churchwardens, on account of his poverty, without fee. He deposited the coffin there, and filled the earth in himself. A number of people followed him, but on their attempting to return they found that the sexton had locked them all in the churchyard. A most disgraceful scene followed, and cries of “shame” resounded from all quarters. Some of the most agile clambered over the railings, while others remained in the churchyard for nearly an hour. After the relatives of the child had gone, the Clergyman ordered the body to be disinterred, and he then performed the funeral rites over the child. The occurrence caused the greatest excitement in the neighbourhood.”

Stamford Mercury, 2 August, 1833.

Have you ever wondered how Tinwell got its name? This article gives some interesting place-name information and a little local history about Tinwell Mills from the Domesday Book onwards.

“By the Way.

TINWELL MILLS IN OLDEN DAYS.

In our report of the fire in our issue of last week, we mentioned that Mr. Starsmore had records of the mill’s existence in the days of Charles the first. We have since been reminded by a correspondent that in Domesday Book, or the survey made by William the Conqueror (circa 1075) it is reported of ‘Tedinwelle’ as it was then called that it was held by the Church of St. Peter de Burgh (Peterborough) and besides seven hides (120 acres each) and a virgate (about 30 acres) of pasture, and eighty carucates of arable land (about 960 acres) THERE WERE TWO MILLS and 20 acres of meadow, besides seven carucates held by 24 villaines and 11 borderers, villaines were villages and borderers from the Saxon word bord, a cottage, were cottages.

Then again in the 11th year of Henry the 3rd (1227), the King in a Charter of confirmation of its possessions to the Abbott and Convent of Peterborough mentions amongst other properties at Tinewell the ‘Mill and all the appendages.’

Tinwell appears to have been anciently written Tedinwelle and Tynewelle, from its situation near a spring or well in the meadows, near the river–Tede signifying hay grass and Ing a meadow.”

Stamford and Rutland Guardian, 26th February, 1916.