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On this page - Mr William Shepherdson, John Banks Shepherdson, Thomas Smelt, and William Hayes Driffield Times, Oct 25, 1884 MR WILLIAM SHEPHERDSON By J. Browne, Bridlington Quay The announcement of the death, on Sunday week, of Mr Wm Shepherdson, journalist, will be received with sympathetic regret, not only by his own immediate relatives, but by an extensive number of literary and musical connections in various parts of the kingdom, to whom he was well known and by whom he was much respected. As may be generally known in this town he was the eldest son of the late Mr George Shepherdson, cabinet maker and builder, and brother of Mr J.F. Shepherdson, of this place, architect and builder. Deceased was born at Driffield on the 22nd November 1817, and had he lived to the 22nd of next month, he would consequently have attained his 67th year. He was brought up to his father’s business, which he continued to follow until he married in 1841, when he commenced business on his own account here, and afterwards in Hull. He always had a taste for literary and scientific pursuits. He took great interest in the Driffield mechanics Institute from its commencement and was for several years, its secretary. Literary pursuits being more consonant to his tastes than those of a mechanical character, he obtained the appointment of secretary to the Chester Mechanics Institute in 1854. After remaining there a year he was engaged on the staff of the Sheffield Daily Telegraph, then about to be brought out; but which, after surmounting some difficulty in its infancy, soon rose into notice and prosperity. It was one of the earliest provincial “dailies” and is now one of the most ably conducted and widest known papers in the provinces. After a dozen years of arduous duty, from being originally the reporter he became the editor, and ultimately managing director and part proprietor. On the paper coming into the possession of a new firm in 1869, he retired from the concern. During his residence in Sheffield he took part in public matters, and at the municipal election for the borough in 1868 he was elected town councillor for St George’s Ward. He had built a beautiful residence in the suburbs of the borough and associated with many of he prominent members of the town, amongst whom was the millionaire, Sir John Brown, of whom he was a favourite protégé. Sir John was desirous of becoming a candidate for parliamentary honours and his claims for representing Sheffield were ably advocated in the Telegraph. Born of musical ancestors, he inherited a love of the ‘divine art’ and early manifested a musical talent. He had an abiding affection for music and musical instruments – his favourite instruments being the organ and the violoncello. When a young man at home his musical genius assumed a practical shape in amateur organ building; and when an organ was required for the congregational chapel in his native town the order was given to him to construct the first organ which was introduced into the old chapel. On the erection of a new chapel some years after, an organ more in keeping with the site and the surroundings was considered desirable and the original organ was replaced by the present one. On leaving Sheffield in 1869 he retired to York. On settling there he commenced the publication of the Yorkshire Orchestra, a musical periodical which he ably conducted, but unfortunately it did not prove a commercial success, and after it had existed for year it was given up. He soon after removed to Hull and obtained a literary employment on the Hull press. For some time he conducted the Eastern Morning News during the indisposition of Mr Hunt, the editor, by whom he was much respected. About that time, a warm controversy arose in the columns of the Eastern Morning News about the management of rhe Hull General Infirmary. Mr Shepherdson ably supported the side of he advocates of the existing state of management, and on a vacancy occurring in the secretaryship of the Infirmary he received the appointment. On entering on his duties he at once found a congenial subject for the occupation of his mind and his pen in tracing out the origin, progress, and the then state of the Infirmary. The result was the production of an interesting book, entitled, “Reminiscenses of the Hull General Infirmary, 1873.” The work was sold for the benefit of the Institution. It was such an exhaustive account of this valuable hospital, and its claims for public support were so strikingly set forth that the book at once attracted fresh interest to this useful Institution and was the means of inducing many wealthy and benevolent benefactors to give large donations to its funds, amounting to several thousands of pounds. He had long felt a strong desire to retire to some rural abode, not only for the benefits of his failing health, but where he could quietly pursue his literary labours and when his eyes and his brain should be weary he might be able to look upon the trees and green fields to rest and refresh them. He therefore removed to a pleasant residence in the outskirts of Beverley where he remained three years. During this period he conducted the Beverley Echo, a weekly paper published in the town. His health now began to fast decline, so much so that he was obliged to give up his literary occupations. A long cherished desire to return to his native town and spend the remainder of his days there was now gratified. He removed to Driffield about a year ago and he entertained a hope that his native air would be beneficial to his health; but Hope – as she often does – “told a flattering tale.” The strain on his mental system could not be restored. He had a severe stroke, he continued to get weaker and weaker and a few weeks ago, he took to his bed never to rise from it again; the death struggle came, and the vital sparks fled from its clay tenement about noon on Sunday, the 12th instant. He married Miss Emiley Thorney, daughter of Mr J.D. Thorney, of Hull, accountant, who survives him, as well as several sons and daughters. His publications are numerous. He was a constant contributor of articles to newspapers, and to musical and other periodicals, amongst which was Chambers’ Edinburgh Journal. For several years he wrote leading articles and musical notices for the London Musical Standard, a weekly journal of music. In September, 1862, Mr Shepherdson brought out “A descriptive accont of the great organ, built by Herr Schulze for the Parish Church, Doncaster,” which is an elaborate description of this grand instrument. This was followed in 1873 by his work entitled, “The organ; its construction, purchase and preservation,” with a beautiful illustration of the magnificent front of the organ case in the Hull Parish Church, drawn by Mr A.F. Lydon, late of Driffield. “The new Hull guide, a modern picture of Hull, and the visitors’ hand-book to the various objects of interest in Hull and the neighbourhood,” was written by him during his residence in that town. In 1876, he wrote his best book – “Starting a daily in the provinces,” which is a graphic and amusing account of the mysterious manner in which the Sheffield Daily Telegraph was originated and its subsequent career, in which he had been so closely connected from its commencement. He also commenced compiling the “Modern history of Sheffield,” but he did not live to complete it. As already stated, Mr Shepherdson was passionately fond of music, and his opinion on musical matters was universally respected. “He strove,” says the Sheffield Telegraph, “to elevate music to its proper position as a fine art, and he had always the interest of the profession at heart. The organ and organ building was a happy theme on which he wrote as a practical authority,” and the Sheffield Independent remarks that, “his opinion and advice with respect to organs were often solicited and acted upon, and that his most permanent work and by which he is most widely known in the musical world is the one on, “the organ and organ building.” He numbered amongst his musical friends the late Sir Michael Costa, the great musical conductor; the late popular composer, organist and organ constructor, Mr Henry Smart, London; Dr Spark, organist, Leeds, and editor of The Organ; Dr Rogers, Doncaster; Mr John Ella; Mr R.W. Hammond, the late editor, and Mr F.H. Turpin, the present editor of the Musical Standard. July 10, 1897 JOHN BANKS SHEPHERDSON The following is taken from the South Australian Register of Tuesday May 25th, and has reference to a gentleman (youngest brother of the late Mr Geo Shepherdson and therefore uncle of Mr J.F. Shepherdson, of Driffield) who was well-known in this neighbourhood early in the present century. Another link with the distant past has been broken by the death of Mr John Banks Shepherdson, of Weymouth House, Wallaroo, who passed away on Monday night, May 24th, at the age of eighty-eight. His death was sudden, he being only taken ill on Sunday. The deceased gentleman celebrated his eighty-eighth birthday anniversary last Saturday, when he recorded his vote at the Legislative Council elections, and with Mrs Shepherdson only a fortnight ago paid his annual visit to the city. Mr Shepherdson was among the pioneer colonists of South Australia and he leaves an unimpeachable record alike in private life and in the public service, with which he was connected forty years. During more than a quarter of a century he was the respected Stipendiary of Yorke’s Peninsula. He was probably the first school-master in the colony, having arrived in 1837, under engagement to the South Australian School Society, about ten years before any legislative education enactment was passed. His English training eminently him for laying the foundation of an education system in the young settlement. Born on May 22nd, 1809, at East Heslerton, near Scarborough, in the East Riding of Yorkshire, he received his education under the Rev Thomas Farrow and his uncle, the Rev Jabez Banks, vicar of Bempton. For a short while he was in Jamaica during an insurrection among the Negro slaves and until May, 1837, when he left for South Australia, he was engaged in tuition in England. In 1836, when this colony was founded, the South Australian School Society, of which the late Mr George Fife Angas was chairman, was established in London and while in the training school of the British and Foreign School Society, Mr Shepherdson was engaged as Director of Schools in South Australia, for the purpose of organising education establishments and training teachers; and as it was the original intention of the Society that these should be conducted on the system of Baron Fellenberg’s labour schools in Switzerland, he was instructed to proceed thither for the purpose of making himself acquainted with the principles upon which they were based. It was, however, afterwards decided that he should instead visit and inspect the Lindfield, Sussex establishment and conducted at the sole expense of the late Mr William Allen, F.R.S., of London and Lindfield. He spent some time at this establishment, where they boys were (in addition to the elements, of a sound education) taught farming, gardening, tailoring, shoemaking, printing, &c, under competent masters. The colony was not a year old when Mr and Mrs Shepherdson arrived at Kingcote, Kangaroo Island, in the ship Hartley, on the 14th October, 1837. Among their fellow passengers were the late Rev T.Q. Stow, the first Congregational minister; Mr William Giles, afterwards general manager of the South Australian Company; Mr W.B. Randell, afterwards stock manager of the Company at Gumercha, and father of Captain W.R. Randell, M.P. Mr Shepherdson thus records his first impressions of the infant colony: - “On our arrival at the ‘Main,’ as it was then called, Adelaide had just been laid out, and the few people living there were located in tents, reed and pisey huts, and wooden erections; Government House, occupied by Captain Hindermarsh, R.N., was of reeds. Serious quarrels had taken place, the result of the divided authority, between the Governor and the Resident Commissioner (Mr and afterwards Sir James Hurtle Fisher) and their respective adherents. Mr Gouger, the then Colonial Secretary, was just proceeding to England for the purpose of appealing to the Home Government for a settlement of the unhappy differences, and Mr Randell and myself took Mr Gouger’s tent for our families at a rental of £1 per week. In accordance with my instructions, I got up a public meeting in a temporary erection, which then did duty as Trinity Church, and the Governor, at my request, promised to take the chair. On the night appointed I proceeded to Government House to accompany His Excellency to the meeting but on learning from me on our way down that Mr Fisher, Mr Mann, the Advocate General, and others of their friends were to take part in the proceedings, he declined to enter the place. After using all the persuasion of which I was capable, he at length gave way, adding, “Well. As Governor, I suppose I must countenance the thing; but as Jack Hindmarsh, I’ll do little.” As the result of the meeting, a committee was appointed to co-operate with me, and as soon as a temporary wooden erection on the Park Lands, opposite and near Trinity Church, was vacated by the Bank of Australia, I organised a school, and we proceeded with its erection. It comprised a dwelling house and a girl’s department on one side and a boys’ department on the other. Before its completion, however, my health gave way from the intense heart and limited accommodation.” Although Mr Shepherdson did not continue in his educational work for a long period he conducted a large school, which was then the only scholastic institution in the colony. In 1840 he undertook the secretaryship and management of the South Australian Cattle Company, in which he was a shareholder, and took up his residence on the Company’s station at Echunga. Prior to this he was a stockowner, being the first in partnership with Mr McDougall, to run sheep on the Adelaide Plains. Leaving Echunga, he went farming on his own account, acquiring land on the Baid Hills, near Nairne. Farming, however, did not pay. Wheat in one year realised only 2s 6d a bushel, and often black sugar and coarse tea had to be taken in part payment for the crop. In November, 1847, during the governorship of Major Robe, Mr Shepherdson was appointed to the clerkship of the Mount Barker Bench of Magistrates, among whom was the late Captain Davidson, S.M. The first local Court Act was in 1850, and Mr Shepherdson became one of the first clerks under the Act. Eight years later he published “Practice of the Local Courts,” a very valuable work to the magistrates and members of the legal profession. In addition to being Clerk of the Local Court at Mount Barker, he performed the duties of local postmaster and registrar of births, deaths and marriages. His magisterial career began on March 6th, 1861, when he was appointed a Justice of the Peace and a Special and Stipendiary Magistrate for Yorke’s Peninsula. He took up his residence at Kadina, and subsequently removed to Wallaroo, where, with the exception of a trip to England in 1875, on twelve months’ leave of absence with full pay, he resided to the time of his death. Mr Shepherdson had the reputation of being one of the best lay magistrates the colony has ever had. He held the position of Stipendiary Magistrate until 1887, when he resigned. Of his magisterial career the following particulars, supplied by a gentleman who served under him in the capacity of Local Court Clerk for many years, will be interesting: - “One had only to know him for a short time to see with what scrupulous punctuality and exactness, not only in his official duties, but also the every day transactions of his life, were carried out. No one sought his advice in vain; no question of persons, or how trivial the matter under consideration, had any influence with him. The same willingness to give his time and the benefit of his knowledge and experience; the same generous courtesy and kindly consideration were extended to all alike. In the discharge of his official duties he brought to bear not only a calm and unbiased mind, but the most patient enquiry.” Mr Shepherdson was for many years Returning Officer for the Electoral District of Wallaroo, a position which he resigned in 1895 on account of his advancing age. From all the offices which he occupied he retired with the verdict of faithful service ably performed , and the wish of the community for the thorough enjoyment of rest richly earned. His scholarly attainments, knowledge of the law, impartial judgment, freedom from the trammels of professional custom or habit, and dignified bearing won for him the respect to which he was entitled as well as the esteem of the community generally. Was it not Charles Dickens who wrote, “In all transactions he was the very soul of truth and honour, and never bartered his opinion or betrayed a friend?” Such a pronouncement might truthfully be written of the late Magistrate of Wallaroo. In November, 1897, in notifying Mr Shepherdson of His Excellency’s acceptance of his resignation of the office of Stipendiary Magistrate, the then Attorney-General, the Hon C.C. Kingston, now Premier of the colony, forwarded a letter, in which he said, “I desire on behalf of the Government to officially place on record our appreciation of the integrity and high degree of intelligence and industry which during forty years of faithful service, you have invariably exhibited in the discharge of your very responsible duties, both on and off the Bench, and for which we wish you would accept our grateful acknowledgements and warmest thanks.” He was also presented with an illuminated address by the magistrates, solicitors, and clerks of the district. This mark of esteem was the source of peculiar pleasure to Mr Shepherdson during the past ten years. The address was hung in his library so that he could see it from his seat at his writing table, and he pointed it out to his friends with evident satisfaction. Mr Shepherdson leaves a widow, four sons, three daughters, fifty-two grandchildren and thirty-seven great grandchildren. The funeral took place at Wallaroo Cemetery the following Wednesday, being largely attended by people of all classes. THE LATE THOMAS SMELT, OF DRIFFIELD Judgement has just been given in favour of he claimant in this case, the particulars of which will, no doubt be locally interesting. The late Thomas Smelt, of Driffield, tinner, brazier and ironmonger, who will be remembered by many of the local inhabitants of the town, died in 1871, possessed of certain real property in Driffield, of considerable value, but without having made a will or leaving any children. A heir was advertised for, but for several years, no one was able to make out a satisfactory claim of heirship to the property and an Inquisition on behalf of the Crown was held at Leeds in 1877, at which it was found by the jury that Thomas Smelt died without a will and without any heir of his body, of right heir, and that his property had developed upon and belonged to the Queen, as an escheat, by virtue of her Royal prerogative, and the Commissioners appointed to enquire into the matter seized and took it into Her Majesty’s hands. It was also found that £170 had been paid into Her Majesty’s Treasury; that £15 11s 7d were due for rent, and that £53 11s 7d had been paid to Johanna Smelt, the intestate’s widow. The Smelt’s are an old family long settled at Kirby Fleetham, near Bedale; and some time prior to 1793, John Smelt, one of the family, found his way to Driffield, and carried on the business of a grocer in the house in Church lane, recently known as the “Little Red Lion Inn.” In the above year he married Ann Brown, daughter of Francis Brown, who had been a farmer at Burrow Farm, near Sledmere but had retired and come to live at Driffield. After a few years John Smelt failed in business and deserted his wife and children and never returned to them. For some time he lived in the neighbourhood of Manchester, and was afterwards a schoolmaster at Rochdale, where he died in 1839. John Smelt’s family consisted of three children – Francis Brown Smelt, who was apprenticed to be a cabinetmaker to the late John Grassam, and died in 1822, unmarried, and Thomas Smelt, the intestate, who served an apprenticeship to be a tinner, brazier and ironmonger, and for many years, carried on these businesses in a shop and premises now occupied by Mr C Smith, grocer, stand. His mother resided with him until her death in 1857. She was a jocose old lady, and in reference to her husband’s flight, she used to say, “I’ve lost my flying eagle.” Previous to 1858, Thomas Smelt retired from business and purchased the house called “Ivy Cottage,” upon the site of which the London and Yorkshire Bank and the Saving’s Bank now stand. In this house he settled down and soon after married Miss Johanna Dandy, daughter of Mr Joseph Dandy, tailor, but the marriage did not prove a happy one and they lived separate for some time before his death. On selling Ivy Cottage he bought the house in Beverley lane, now occupied by Mr A.H. Scott, to which he retired and died there in 1871, without making a will or leaving any children as already stated. John Smelt, the father of Thomas Smelt, had a brother named Christopher Smelt, who left a son, who also left a son, who claimed to be Thomas Smelt’s heir at law, and took measures for making out his heirship, but he died before he succeeded in doing so. He left a son named Christopher Smelt, the brother of Johne Smelt, the great grandson of Christopher Smelt, the brother of John Smelt, who was then a minor. On attaining his maturity in 1888, he set up a claim as heir, but it turned out that his father had made a will and left his property to his widow, who has successfully proved her title to the property. The evidence of several old inhabitants of Driffield, including Mr T. Hodgson, Mr Hutton Gibson and Mr J. Browne, Bridlington Quay, was taken on affidavit in support of the Claimant’s case. The necessary proceedings were instituted in the High Court of Justice – Chancery Division – to recover the property back from the Crown, and it was expected that the claim would have to be decided before a judge and jury in the Queen’s Bench Division. The case was set down for hearing during the present Hilary Term and the witnesses were subpoenaed to attend, but th eclaim having been considered sufficiently made out to the satisfaction of the Attorney General, a personal hearing was not required, and judgement has been given in favour of the claimant. The real property consists of the hose and land adjoining in Beverley lane, and a field in Spellow gate called “Swine Pits,” containing 9s 3r 30p., and has been offered for sale. The solicitors are Messrs Stokes, Sanders, & Stokes, London, and the local solicitor, Mr F.J. Brigham, Driffield. DRIFFIELD NOTABILITIES WILLIAM HAYES Originally written by J. Browne, Bridlington Quay and published in The Driffield Times and General Adertiser, September 13, 1884 William Hayes may be considered another of the Driffield notabilities. He will be remembered by some of the older inhabitants as a respectable tradesman, and a prominent figure amongst the Wesleyans. The hardships he endured when a boy – the difficulties he surmounted in the struggles of early life – his singular adventures – and the miraculous manifestations by which his actions were often guided, are something extraordinary. He was born at Cloughton, near Scarborough, on the 27th July 1760. His father was a sailor, and his mother was a pious woman amongst the Methodists. They had a numerous family and William, who was their third son, when only eight years of age went into farm service. His wage was 10s 6d for the year, and a pair of shoes. In the winter he had to feed some cattle, which were kept at a distance of a mile and a quarter from home. He was sent out in the morning with nothing but a little cheese and bread, which had to serve him for the day. The building where the cattle were kept was a considerable distance from the field from which he had to carry turnips in a basket to the cattle. The first winter was a very severe one; the snow was nearly three feet deep for six weeks, and he had to gather the turnips with is naked hands amongst the snow. He was very small and low in stature and could not carry much at a time; and he had may narrow escapes of being knocked down by the cattle and trampled under their feet in their anxiety to tear the turnips from his hands. His hands and feet were so frost bitten and swollen that his feet would scarcely go into his shoes, and he often put his hands between the foreleg and breast of one of the cattle to warm them. His master was a very passionate man and used to swear and beat him severely when he thought the cattle had not had turnips enough, as well as for other imaginary faults. They used to plough on the moor with sometimes two oxen, and sometimes and sometimes with one or two horses. William’s business was to drive the plough team, and when a root or stone threw the plough out of its course his master cursed him and beat him sorely. His master used to tell him that it was impossible that he would ever be able to drive a team properly unless he learned to swear. So he tried he tried to learn from him and soon became equal to him or worse, until his master had occasionally to reprove him and once or twice beat him for being a worse swearer than himself. After remaining two years in this mans service he was hired to another neighbouring farmer with whom he remained for a year. In the winter, his hands and feet were again much swollen and his master said to him one day, “Billy, if thou will get a holly bush and pull thy stocking and shoes off, I’ll cure thy legs.” Billy accordingly got a holly bush and his master put his legs between his knees and commenced to beat his legs with the prickly bush until blood flew in all directions. The housekeeper was so alarmed that she cried aloud, seized hold of the man and even tore the hair off his head, but he still held on until the poor boy’s legs were completely raw. His master wrapped them in linen rags, and to the surprise of all, in about ten days he was so far cured as to be able to go about his work again. He continued in farmers’ service until he was seventeen years of age, and earned wages according to his ability. His father, however, took his waged for some years and provided him with a few clothes, which were so very inferior that when his wages reached £5 he determined to find his own apparel and was soon able to save £20. some of his brothers had been put to trades and he thought a trade would suit him better than country work. He went to Whitby and met with a tinner and brazier who wanted an apprentice. He agreed to give the tinner a premium of £20 to teach him his trade. After serving his time he worked journey work in different parts for some time and then went to Hull to find work, but not meeting with any to suit him he did not know what to do. He was a believer in the marvellous and thought he would try a “charm” for his guidance and he shall tell you his own tale. “I went,” said he, “into a lane and set my stick up, thinking I would go the way it fell. It fell towards home. I tried it three or four times more, and though I bent it the contrary way it always fell towards home. Not liking to go that way I hesitated, but just then a man came up with a couple of horses, and said, “young man, where are you going?” I said to Beverley. “Then you may ride this horse.” I mounted it and we rode on together to Beverley. During my absence, my father and mother had removed to Bridlington-Quay, and when I reached home I was kindly received.” He remained at home a few weeks, and went with his mother one Monday morning to hear a Mr George Holder preach. He experienced nothing extraordinary under the sermon, but when he returned home he felt an unusual terror of mind and trembling of body, and continued under sore trouble for nearly a month, during which time he could scarcely eat or sleep. Many well-meaning friends advised him to look for Jesus. He did not then see the way of faith, and he could not believe unless he had something to satisfy him. How he arrived at that satisfaction let him speak for himself : - “Being at Bridlington one evening, two friends walked down to the Quay with me. One of them remarked that new believers had often had conflicts with one evil spirit; he knew a man who had fought with the devil and had overcome him. I thought if anything of that sort appeared to me I would fight too. I retired to bed. It was a very moonlight nigh, I kneeled down to pray and caught a glimpse of what I thought was a very stout man at my side; his arms appeared naked and the veins quite blue. He struck me violently on my chest immediately disappeared. A few days after I was in the same room in earnest prayer that the Lord would give me peace a black dog appeared behind the bed. It looked at me and sparks of fire flew from its mouth on the bad and all over me. I was not afraid, but did not find the peace I wanted.” He soon after found a comfort and peace of mind which he had not known before; but poring on his temporal circumstances and recollecting that he owed a debt, he began to project various schemes fro relief, and whilst walking out one evening meditating this passage of scripture came forcibly to his mind – “What is that to thee; follow thou me.” He immediately proceeded to Hull in search of work and succeeded in obtaining it at a large brazier’s shop. The other workmen were very profane and wicked. He happened to reprove one of them for swearing, when they all began to despise and persecute him for being a Methodist, which he denied, and they got him discharged after the third day. He then went to Whitby, and immediately met with employment. Several of his old acquaintances went to him, but he durst not join them in their former habits. He told them he was leading a new life and admonished them to follow his example, but they all soon forsook him. He now became a member of the Methodist Society. One of his shop-mates said to him one day, “Willy, I hear you have turned Methodist?” He replied, “Yes, Thomas, I have;” and he then told him all that he witnessed and suffered before he obtained peace, and how happy he then was. His shop-mate immediately felt a deep conviction for sin and prayed earnestly for forgiveness. William soon after got work at Scarborough and lodged with an old Methodist who proved a great help and comfort to him. A few months after he went to Shileds, working his passage down in a coal vessel. On landing, he was desirous of finding lodgings with some person who was a Methodist, but feared to enquire of any one in the street. He called at a grocer’s shop for half an ounce of tea, but grocer was unable to tell him where he could find one. He then called at several shops where eatables were sold, and he bought something at each of them until his apron was nearly full before any body could tell him where a Methodist lived. Having at length found one he enquired if he could be recommend to a Methodist lodging and a servant was sent to direct him to one. In the meantime he obtained work very near. On the Saturday night his employer said if he would go to a public house he would pay him for his work. William said he did not like going to such a place. It was eleven o’clock when he got there. He sat down and called for a pint of ale, and his employer went upstairs. He soon discovered to his horror that it was a house of ill-fame; but he did not know how to find his lodgings at that late hour of the night, so he was obliged to sit over the fire until the next morning, when his employer came downstairs and conducted him to his lodgings. Though personally uncontaminated he felt sorely grieved at the thought of having been brought to such a place. About two o’clock on Sunday afternoon his employer sent for him to another public house, but he refused to go, and a second message came to him saying that he must go as a person from Shields wanted to see him. He reluctantly went and found his employer and another brazier drinking together. The stranger said he wanted to engage him. William said he would go in the morning, but his new employer said he must go with him then. He said it was the Sabbath. His employer said if he would go and take tea with him he should return to his lodgings after. On arriving at his new employer’s lodgings it was found to be in a public house, where there was a great noise and fiddling and dancing going on. William started back, but his employer took hold of him and assured him that his room had no connection with the public house; so he went in and was kindly treated by his employer’s wife with tea, after which he left for his lodgings, deeply lamenting his mis-improvement of that sacred day. He entered on his new engagement, found decent lodgings and got amongst Methodists and met with great encouragement in his spiritual life. There he remained fifteen months. He got clear of debt and bought himself some clothes. He then set out in search of work and travelled through the county of Durham and part of Yorkshire, from Monday morning until Saturday afternoon, when he arrived at Stockton, where he met with employment for some months and joined the Wesleyan Society, but he was taken ill of a consumption and was obliged to give up working. He went to Bridlington Quay to be under the care of his mother and a doctor. This was about Christmas and he began to recover in April. Having left his chest with his clothes and some money, he was anxious to have it got home, as under his affliction he had spent all the money he had brought with him. The doctor said he would now recover if he went to sea; he therefore engaged on board the vessel in which his father sailed. Not being a sailor, he had to take half wages. The vessel was bound for Sunderlandand he hoped to get his chest and money. On arrival he asked the captain to allow him to go Shields for his chest; the captain he would suffer no man to leave the vessel; at this William was much disappointed. He went a second voyage with the same captain. After loading at Sunderland they left the port at midnight. He had often prayed that he might have an opportunity of getting his chest and money, - and here we have another miracle performed. After crossing the Bar, the vessel would not sail all right; other vessels sailed south but their vessel would not, and at daylight they were still just opposite Sunderlan harbour. The captain said he had sailed many years in the same ship, but never saw anything like it; there must be a Jonah on board. They continued beating about all that day and the next without making any progress. Next morning they were alarmed, by discovering a sudden leak in the ship’s hold, which determined the captain to run her back to Sunderand; but the tide being out, and all the hands being exhausted with pumping, they ran directly for Shields. When passing Shields Bar the captain said he was a stranger at Shields and had no money. He therefore wished William to go to Sunderland to get some. William said he had some money in his chest at Shields which the captain could have. The captain said that would do. The pilot went on board and ran the ship close to where the chest was left. William thanked God who had answered his prayers by restoring him his chest in this extraordinary manner. When the vessel was examined very little damage was found and the carpenters laughed at them for their unnecessary fears. In the course of the summer he found his health restored and he determined to return to his own business; he therefore made up his mind to go in search of work. Again he had a striking manifestation of an unseen power in directing his future movements. “I had serious fears,” said he, “lest I should fall again amongst wicked shop-mates. Standing in the room musing and doubting, in a moment I was lifted from the floor with my thump against the chamber boards between the joists, and a loud voice said to me, “Go to Driffield and set up, and there is a set of tools for sale at Beverley or Hull.” When I calmly considered this wonderful circumstance, I recollected that I was but poorly clothed and had not more than five shillings in the world, and that I had no friend to give me anything. I therefore doubted my ability to get into business for myself, but the voice still sounded in my ears “Go to Driffield.” I had never seen Driffield and wondered what all this meant. However, I set out next morning and arrived at that place. I consulted Mr Thomas Jackson, a schoolmaster there, as to my prospects of setting business for myself; he thought I should have no chance, as there had never been anything of the sort there. I returned to Bridlington Quay that night. I thought that as I had a brother married at Falsgrave I would try him to lend me five guineas. I went to him, but he said he might as well give it me, for he knew I had nothing and that it would be impossible for me to begin business under £100. I believed the voice which said, “Go to Driffield” to be divine. Still I did not do as I was bid, and went to Whitby again and got work, but I never settled; the voice “Go to Driffield” sounded in my ears night and day. I left Whitby in a few weeks and was determined to try Driffield again. I set out in search of the tools which the voice had said were at Beverley or Hull. Arriving at Beverley I went to a tinner’s shop and asked him if he could tell me where I cold meet with some tinner’s tools. They said “Yes, if you go to Postmaster he will inform you.” I went to the Postmaster; he said a person in Hull had some to dispose of. I went to this person, and he said the tools were at Beverley, and if I would meet him he would try to bargain with me. I was sorely tried how I should get the money to pay for the tools. I returned to Bridlington Quay and asked two friends to lend me three guineas each, which they did. I then went boldly to meet with the owner of tools at Beverley. Not being able to buy so many as he had supposed I wanted, he said I he had known that I wanted so few he would not have come so far to sell them. Having laid out all my money in tools I did not know how I should do to get tin and other materials. I returned to Bridlington Quay and my father applied to two friends for a loan of £10 for me. With this money I went to Hull and purchased tin and other articles with which I set off to Driffield and took a small room for a workshop. When I began business, I had only thirteenpence halfpenny in my pocket, one shilling of which I had borowed of a brother in law that morning. As soon as I began work the inhabitants in two days gave me orders for as much work as I could finish in a fortnight and I found I was where the Lord had sent me.” We now see him fairly settled in his business, and it is now, as he states, that he felt the want of education, as he could neither read nor write. He had only a small stock of tin to begin with and it was very soon worked up; but having taken a little money for work and goods he went to Hull to purchase more tin, and for many years he bought small quantities just as money came in. He worked very hard both day and night, and got a few goods beforehand. One of his friends at Bridlington Quay, of whom he had borrowed three guineas, sent him word that he wanted it. He sent his friend word that he would see him at Bridlington Fair. “I accordingly,” said he, “took what goods I had to the Fair. My brother, from Falsgrave, of whom I had asked the loan of five guineas, was at the Fair. He came to me and said, “Are these your goods?” I said, Yes. He said he did not believe it; he supposed I had got them on trust. “If thou will say these are thy goods I will lend thee five guineas? I said they are mine indeed. He then gave me the money. With part of this money I paid my friend the three guineas which I owed him and with the rest, and with what I took at the fair, I retuned with a glad heart.” The Whitsun Fair at Driffield was the week after, and our young master tradesman worked night and day to get a few goods ready for it. He went and found three tinners already there – one from Beverley, another from Market Weighton and the other from Scarborough. They told him they had met there to drive him out of Driffield. They left him a very small space between two of their stalls. This he did not like, as he felt that his small show of goods, being so near to their larger display would be overlooked by customers. He, however, soon determined to try and put up his stall. And again providence watched over him. The wind rose very high and overturned several stalls. His neighbours, the tinner, had much to do whilst his never moved at all. They then begged leave to tie their stalls to his, which he allowed them to do, and all stood firm. When customers came to his stall they called them away and abused him and his goods, so he took out his knife to cut their stalls from his; but they were afraid to venture their stalls to the force of the wind without the support of his; and to get his consent to do this they promised to be more civil. One of them went to Driffield next morning and sent the bellman round the town offering his goods at prime cost and under, and stating that he would attend Driffield market every week in future. “I thought,” said he, if he did so, I could not live and I began to doubt of my divine call to Driffield; I even made up my mind to leave it. I immediately heard a voice say, “The enemies thou hast seen today thou shall see no more for ever.” I laid down in confidence that I was where the Lord would have me to be. When I rose in the morning I was very gloomy; but I fell to work and very soon a person looked in and said that the tinner who had sent the bellman about had broke a blood vessel and had gone home in a chaise with a doctor. His goods were sent after him in a cart. I afterwards heard that this affliction kept him home for nearly three years; and he never came to Driffield with goods any more. I now believed the Lord had brought me to Driffield and would stand by me.” Several tinners came to Driffield but none of them succeeded long. One continued four years, another two years, and others failed much sooner. At the time one of the m settled in Driffield he was afraid that he would injure him in his business but a voice said, “Take a cart and go into the country and thou shalt have two-thirds more business than ever.” Accordingly, he took a horse and cart and went into the country, and was successful. The shop which William Hayes took to work in, was very damp and cold, and he often prayed that he might have a better one, but he then had little prospect of his wishes being accomplished. When on his bended knees in earnest prayer one day, a voice assured him that place, where he would get it. Eight or nine years, however, elapsed before he succeeded. He first rented it, and was afterwards able to purchase it. He wanted to some alterations in the house, but having paid all the money he could raise in paying for it he was afraid to begin. He, however, made a commencement, but the roof and timbers were to be found to be very bad, so much so that he was obliged to take the house down. He dreaded the expense of re-building, so he prayed that he might be able to pay one-half of the cost when the building was finished. “I found money,” he said, “for the purpose and at the time when I wished for it; but I never knew whence it came, and I believe to this day that the Lord sent it in answer to my prayers.” He gives the following particulars of his family. He says – “My father’s family consisted of four sons and four daughters. The first death in the family was that of my youngest brother, a sea-faring youth, about sixteen years of age. I prayed to the Lord to let me know whether he was happy or not, and had a conviction that he was blessed. One of the sailors present when he died said the last words he spoke were, “Lord remember me.” My eldest brother died six weeks after. When I first heard of his affliction I was convinced that he would die, and that I should see him. I soon after heard that he was departed. I prayed once, twice, and a third time. When I arose from my knees I saw him about two yards from me and he immediately disappeared. I saw his bodily shape enter a wall; the impression concerning him was – “I am now before the throne of God, serving him day and night in the temple.” My father sat under the sound of the Gospel for forty years, but remained a stranger to a saving change until on his deathbed. For six weeks he groaned for redemption by Jesus Christ; he found peace with God six hours before his removal; at one o’clock he found comfort, at seven he was no more. My father and mother took in the first Methodist preachers that came that way once a fortnight. They gave their children good instruction, which left an impression on their minds even in manhood. At about forty years of age my mother was brought to the knowledge of the truth and kept up family prayer twice a day. She died at the age of seventy five years, rather infirm, but happy in the Lord. My third brother was a wicked man, guilty of cockfighting, swearing, boxing, and smuggling. For twenty years I prayed day and night that the Lord would convert him from his wicked ways. It was revealed to me one day that a letter was coming to me from my brother; I saw the impression of he letter with it’s contents, word for word in my hand; I told my wife what it contained before it was opened. I went over immediately to see him. When I entered his room I found him in an afflicted state, with his comrades around him. I though, “miserable comforters are ye all.” I talked to him about his soul, and then all his companions left us. All his cry was that he should be lost. He desired that the door should be fastened, but I said not so. His cry was that he day of grace was gone. I pulled his cock-pens up and burnt them. He was afflicted for three weeks. At length, the prayers which had been made incessantly for him were answered. On the day he died I had an impression whilst standing against a wall, saying, “I will cut my work short in righteousness and make an end of sin.” When I entered the chamber where my brother was he was as much as four men could hold; in the course of two hours two were sufficient for the purpose. I was alone with him when he found peace; then he prayed till the vital spark left the clay tenement. A sister departed this life in the year 1825, happy in grace. I have two sisters living; one resides with me and both, I hope, are in the way of the kingdom. My wife died very suddenly happy in the acceptance of the Redeemer. Three of my children died in their infancy; another died happy at the age of nineteen. I have a son and daughter living. I may justly exclaim, “What hath the Lord wrought for me and mine? Unto him be everlasting praise.” As for myself, God has kindly blessed me. I live retired and have a little to spare, and here would wait with patience all my appointed time until my change comes.” A few years after he commenced business on his own account, he married Ellen Thompson, a native of Bridlington Quay. After living together for some time his wife, as he has stated, suddenly died. She was a clever and industrious woman, and a great help to him in his business. She was well known as an expert hand at mending china. After labouring industriously for more than forty years he acquired a competency and resigned his business in favour of his son Edward. He spent his time partly at Driffield and partly at Bridlington, where his daughter resided. During his residence in Driffield he took a leading part in the Wesleyan Society there. He died at Bridlington on the 25th March 1852, having attained the great age of 92 years, and was buried in the churchyard at Driffeild. He left behind him his son and successor in business, the late Edward Hayes, who died at Driffield on the 5th March, 1884, at the age of 89 years. He also had retired from business many years previously and was at the time of his death the oldest inhabitant in the town. William Hayes also left a daughter, Mrs Wright, now residing at Bridlington, at the advanced age of 87 years. His son Edward was for the greater part of his life a zealous Wesleyan and one of the pillars of the society at Driffield. One defect in this singular narrative is the absence of all dates when the many strange events recorded in it occurred. It would be towards the latter part of the last century – nearly one hundred years ago – when he commenced the world on his own account and settled down in Driffield. He used to tell the writer, who knew him well, that when he first knew Driffield, “it was the muckiest town he ever was in.” The “small room” which he stated he first took up a workshop, and which was so very damp, was a cellar under a stationer’s shop, which was some years ago taken down, and on the site of which Messrs Pickerings’ ironmongers shop now partly stands. It was there that he toiled day and night and realised the success of his perseverance; and it was there, too, that he continued to diligently labour until the mysterious voice assured him, in answer to his prayer, that he should have a new and better shop as the reward of his industry. This shop was a very quaint old house, and stood upon part of the sight of the banking establishment of Messrs Beckett & Co in Middle street, and upon which he was so mysteriously enabled to erect a new house and front shop, with convenient work shop behind. He was somewhat eccentric, and had many Puritanical peculiarities about him, particularly in his strong faith in the efficacy of prayer, and in divine direction being given to earnest supplication for guidance. His manner of address also partook of the Puritan form. When asked, “How are you?” he would reply, “Purely, I thank thee,” which obtained him the soubriquet of “Willy Purely,” and by which name he was familiarly known. It is said that a girl, in her innocence of his proper name, once addressed him as “Mr Purely,” at which he was very indignant. William Hayes was no ordinary man. Commending business with only thirteen pence half-penny - one shilling of which was borrowed money – ready cash in his pocket and only a small quantity of tin as his only stock in trade, a damp cellar for his workshop, and without education, he became the architect of his own fortune. His strong faith, indomitable perseverance, industry, economy and integrity, enabled him to surmount every difficulty, and his efforts were ultimately crowned with success; and by temperance, frugality and a pure life he lived to a green old age to enjoy the fruits of his works. The story of his life teaches us a valuable lesson. What he accomplished others may attain to by the same honourable means, industry and economy, as many a self-made man has also done. His adventurous life gives us some strange insight into the state of society a century ago, when it was dangerous to be a Methodist, or to ask for the residence of one; and it shows us the gross tyranny of opposition from competing parties to new beginners, and the vigorous clinging to vested interests such as would not now be tolerated. Happily we live in better times. Had William Hayes been now living he might have been claimed by the “Spiritualists” as a valuable “spirit medium.” The revelations of his strange spiritual experiences are certainly more extraordinary than any alleged to have taken place at the séances of he professional Spiritualists of the present day. We are ready to believe that he had visionary perception of the singular manifestations, which he states that he witnessed, and that he was haunted by the presentimental “voices” or mental influences by which he was guided in many of the most important events in his curious career. The imagination may become so intensified by the exercise of continued earnest supplication for divine guidance s to assume a state of clairvoyance and the individual may have visual illusions or walking dreams, so as to produce the seeming presence of the objects upon which his aspirations have been so strongly fixed. But that such objects appear in a bodily state or actually strike or speak is a state of things, which cannot be easily credited. The “stout man” and the “black dog” were the shapes in which the “man of sin” and with whom William Hayes wished to battle, were phantoms of his own excited imagination. Such persons are more susceptible to such visual illusions than others, especially those whose mental powers by constant excitement in their intense aspirations become so verified and spirital, as to be the receptacle of divine revelations. Don’t we constantly hear of persons in their last moments, when their thoughts are so intently fixed on the mansions above, seeing angels hovering over their dying beds, ready to bear their spirits to the heavenly kingdom to which they so ardently desire to go.
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