Rev. James Wilkinson

[RichardB]

RichardB quite remarkable From Schooldays Chapter 11 The Cutlers Hall and Feasts

http://www.omnesamici.co.uk/MemoriestRELeaderChapter11.html

Just change the Chapter number anywhere from Chapter01 to Chapter16, the yellow writing on rather lurid background is difficult to read, but cut and paste into Work or whatever, and away you go; enjoy

This contains too many references to other stuff I just don't know where to put it !

Town Hall outside the Church Gates, Cutlers Hall as the Seat of Justice, taverns on Watson's Walk, the swearing, boxing Vicar, Old Niddlety Nod and the doggerel

They burnt his books,

And scared his rooks,

And set his stacks on fire

End of RichardB, and onto the extract

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Why the magistrates sat in the Cutlers Hall, rather than in the old Town Hall at the Church Gates, has not been explained, nor is it clear when this practice began. It arose, presumably, out of the lack of accommodation in the latter building, but it was not a pretty sight to see prisoners brought from "the lobby" into the churchyard, and there awaiting, in gangs, a summons to enter the august presence.

All the associations of old inhabitants, up to the time when the Town Hall was removed to Waingate, centre around the Cutlers Hall as the seat of justice, and it is to this that are attached many stories of odd doings and quaint, in the days when Vicar Wilkinson presided over the Petty Sessions Court.

That worthy man, albeit parson, had a large measure of the " Old Adam" in him, and this came out both in his acts and in the broadness of his shrewd language for he had a habit of "calling a spade a spade". He was a fine type of what came to be called "a muscular Christian", though the muscularity was apt to be more evident than the Christianity.

His reputation as a fine amateur boxer was wide-spread, and once, when he was dining with other local magnates, at a Watson's Walk tavern, two strangers called, and sent in an urgent request for an audience. The Vicar complying, they told him that, hearing of his pugilistic powers, they had come a long distance in the hope that he would have a bout with them. Nothing could please him better. With great urbanity he complied.

Laying aside the habiliments suited to a clergyman and a justice of the peace, he put on the gloves, and treated his visitors to punishment which compelled them to leave with enhanced respect for his prowess in boxing.

The magisterial or, should we say patriotic instincts of Vicar Wilkinson, were apt to over-ride his teachings as a clergyman. Thus his anxiety to make up the depletions in the population caused by the ravages of war was so great as to induce him to express encouraging sympathy with those who added to the numbers of the people without the precedent ceremonies enjoined by the Church.

Some sayings of his, justifying a convenient blindness to the marriage service if only the gaps made in British ranks by French bullets were filled up, are too broad for reproduction in print; but not long ago they were much chuckled over when related by choice story-tellers.

Being called upon on one occasion to arbitrate between a quarrelsome husband and wife, he ordered that they should be locked up together until they could agree. The discipline proved efficacious, for, after a show of obstinacy, the refractory couple came to terms, and announced their contrition by knocking on the wall of their cell, as had been arranged.

At another time a lady, having a dispute with her servant, was summoned to appear before the justice. She refused to go before "Old Niddlety Nod" (a nickname given to Justice Wilkinson owing to a peculiar shaking of the head, caused by slight paralysis or palsy), and had to be fetched by a constable.

"So you refused to come before ' Old Niddlety Nod,' did you ? You are here now, however, and ' Old Niddlety Nod ' orders you to pay the servant her wages and the court its costs".

A little girl in the street was incited by some mischievous fellow to go up to a gentleman as he walked along and to say

"They burnt his books,

And scared his rooks,

And set his stacks on fire"

the well-known doggerel relating to the rioters' attack on Broom Hall. The child innocently went in front of the gentleman, and, bobbing a curtsey, lisped out the lines.

" What, my dear ?"

asked the Vicar, for it was none other.

The child repeated it.

" Yes, my dear," said he, " come along with me !"

and, leading her by the hand, he took her to the Church Gates and had her put into the stocks.

Mr. Wilkinson is described as being, in his later days, a fine, venerable, and stately old man. He was accustomed to drive about in a large family carriage with a pair of horses.

This equipage is reported, in one of our best local ghost stories, to have " revisited the glimpses of the moon. "

[RichardB]

Background to the above

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Civil unrest, Rev Wilkinson agreed for part of the Parish Church graveyard to be used to widen Church Street, the people didn't like it, so off they went to "Burn his books", this led to the "powers that be" building the original Barracks "Horse Barracks" (1793 or thereabouts, I forget exactly). These were situated at the bottom of Whitehouse Lane (Infirmary Road and Langsett Avenue, didn't used to join up, it was an extension of Whitehouse Lane that joined with Infirmary Road. The Horse Barracks were actually, originally under the control of Manchester !!! And all this under ten years since the happenings in Paris

Barrack Lane, Wood Street - around there, Gertrude and Thirza were daugters of one of the Barrack Master, hence Thirza Street, and Gertrude Street (there was a third daughter, of course, I've forgotten her)

[RichardB]

Enclosures in Sheffield, James Wheat and Rev. Wilkinson "Old Niddlety Nod"

Enclosures_in_Sheffield.doc

[RichardB]

Aug 6th 1800.

The anniversary of the birthday of the Rev. James Wilkinson, celebrated by a public dinner at the

Tontine; president, Dr. Browne; present, 130 of the principal persons of the town.

[RichardB]

Aug 6th 1800.

The anniversary of the birthday of the Rev. James Wilkinson, celebrated by a public dinner at the

Tontine; president, Dr. Browne; present, 130 of the principal persons of the town.

Aug 5th. Second anniversary of the birth-day of the Rev. James Wilkinson, at the Tontine; president, Dr. Wainwright.

[Bayleaf]

Enclosures in Sheffield, James Wheat and Rev. Wilkinson "Old Niddlety Nod"

Sorry to be pedantic Richard, but Wilkinson lived at Broom Hall, not Broomhill as in the document! I'm sure you knew that, it'll be a typo!

[RichardB]

Time to bring this "up top" for new Members. Welcome to you all, enjoy.

[RichardB]

Sorry to be pedantic Richard, but Wilkinson lived at Broom Hall, not Broomhill as in the document! I'm sure you knew that, it'll be a typo!

By George, you're right ! :rolleyes:

[RichardB]

Death of Revd. James Wilkinson (1805)

16th January 1805

At Boroughbridge, in Yorkshire, the Rev. James Wilkinson, 50 years vicar of Sheffield, 4 years prebendary of Ripon,

and 2 years in the commission of the peace for the North and West ridings of the county of York.

He was the son of Andrew W. Esq. and was born at Boroughbridge July 25th 1730 ;

had his grammar education at Beverly school, and was admitted of Clare-hall, Cambridge, where he took the degree

of B. A. in 1752, M. A. 1755; and, in October, 1754, was presented to the vicarage of Sheffield.

He had for some time past been afflicted with a pulmonary complaint, which baffled all medical efforts;

but flattered himself that he had received great benefit from the sea air at Hartlepool; from which he lately

returned to his seat at Boroughbridge.

Ia the morning of the 16th instant he took, an airing in his carriage, and returned to dinner, seemingly

as well as usual; but, about 6 in the evening, as he was rising from his seat to snuff a candle,

he fell to the ground, and immediately expired.

lI his office as a magistrate he was cool, candid, and impartial ; was a real friend to the interests

of his country, as well as the society with which he was more immediately connected, and unwearied in

his endeavours to serve such as were under his patronage and protection ; was an active promoter of

every laudable institution ; and readily contributed to the relief of affliction, both public and private : and,

what is a strong proof of his real excellence, he increased in general esteem as he advanced in years. (See vol. LXX. p. 576)

He is not known to have published any literary composition, except a sermon at the opening of the Sheffield General Infirmary, Oct. 4, 1707.

[RichardB]

Public Mourning for the Late Mr Wilkinson

It having been suggested to me by a number of very respectable characters, that there would be great propriety in the inhabitants of the town and immediate neighbourhood of Sheffield appearing in mourning, on one Sunday after the interment of their late most revered and respected Vicar and Magistrate, the Rev James Wilkinson, to testify their deep sorrow for the loss of so truly good and valuable a member of the community,-

Notice is hereby given,

That it is most respectfully requested, that all those to whom it may be convienient would appear in mourning as aforesaid, on Sunday the 3rd of February next.

William Nicholson

Master Cutler

June 1st 1805