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Preface
Contents
Chapter I
Chapter II
Chapter III
Chapter IV
Chapter V
Chapter VI
Chapter VII
Chapter VIII
Chapter IX
Chapter X
Chapter XI
Chapter XII
Chapter XIII
Appendix

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The copper cauldron, lead tanks, edgestones, and oil machinery, &e., were sold, and the mill was speedily fitted up with a new water-wheel and machinery for thrashing, grinding, and sawing, and carried on by the school till 1856, when it was rented to John Dixon who still continues tenant.

The accident which happened to a little boy, Henry Reed Thorp, while loosing the bands of the sheaves for the thrashing machine, will be remembered by many old scholars; he went too near the platform on which the corn was spread and slipt his foot between the beaters, had they not been brought to an immediate stand by the man feeding, he would have lost his life. Isaac Sharp and I were at Staindrop on business; receiving a telegram of the accident, we set out, by road, though late in the evening. By driving all night we reached Ayton early next morning, expecting to find the boy dead. Great was our thankfulness when we found his life had been spared, and though several of the bones of the leg were broken he possibly might regain the use of it. The bones set rapidly and in a few weeks, though lame, he was able to walk, and remained at school till his school days were over.

Up to the 13th of 12th month, 1850, we were depending upon Argand oil lamps and candles for light. Two lamps were used in the boys’ school-room, and one in the girls’. They were trimmed and kept in order by the apprentices. The subject of lighting was brought before the committee 2nd of 12th month, 1850, and the following minute was made:- “The disadvantages arising from a deficiency of light having been again considered, our friend, Thomas Richardson, has expressed his willingness to contribute towards the cost of such buildings and apparatus as may be needful for the manufacture of gas, and the secretary is requested to produce an estimate of the requisite outlay at our next meeting.”

The site was fixed and the erection of the gas house commenced 9th of 10th month, 1850, and the works, as they stand at the present time, were completed 13th of 12th month, 1850, and opened with great rejoicing. A supper was prepared for all the workmen that had been employed. John Dunning, who had arranged all the fittings, the secretary and other Friends from Middlesbrough and the Friends residing in the village and neighbourhood joined the party. Cleveland lodge looked beautifully lit, and all was satisfactory, and the Argand lamps were abandoned. George Richardson, of Newcastle, expressed a wish that the school-rooms should be so well lighted as to allow the scholars to pursue their studies in the evenings after they had finished their work. This suggestion we endeavoured to carry out, not only in the school rooms, but we also had the dormitories well lighted. They were allowed to take their bibles with them when they retired to rest and many a scripture text was committed to memory while they were laid on their beds. The gas was turned off in the school-rooms at 8 o’clock, and in the lodging rooms at 9 o’clock. In the above account of the gas works we have said nothing of the person who had the charge of it. John Dunning sent over from Middlesbrough a man thoroughly acquainted with gas making from the Middlesbrough Owners’ works, Peter, by name. He was a Northumbrian, and had the brogue. It was amusing to hear him talk of the ‘etorts, ‘eceivers, pu’ifie’s and gasomete’. As the house man, Willie, would have the lighting up of the premises, it was concluded Peter should instruct him in the art and mystery of gas making. In a few weeks Willie was pronounced proficient.

On first day the 25th of 9th mo, 1859 about 4 o’clock in the afternoon as we were coming out of Meeting we heard the cry of “fire! fire!” On looking round saw smoke and flame issuing from our farm buildings, on reaching the spot found the straw shed connected with the barn containing the thrashing machine, one mass of fire. Very soon a crowd of persons were on the premises with their carrying water from the pump but the spring was soon exhausted: as the fire was spreading a man was despatched on one of our farm horses for Stokesley Fire Engine. John Cail who had it in charge and understood the working of it returned with it. The two inch pipe which conveyed the water from the Dykes Beck to the house passed through the farm yard; it was speedily broken with hammers and the hose attached to it, but the flow was too weak to do any good, and it had to be abandoned. There was plenty of water in the little stream dammed back near Cleveland Lodge gates. The fire engine was placed along side of it and the hose carried through the gardens to the stack yard. The wind was in the south-west and had carried the flames to a large hay stack; as nothing could be done to save the farm buildings the fire was allowed to burn itself out. Horses, cows, pigs and some small farm implements were safely removed. The pig-house which connected the burning buildings with the farm-man’s cottage was pulled down to cut off communication. All that the fire engine could now do was to extinguish the burning hay on the side next to Jeremiah Thistlethwaite’s house, which speedily accomplished. The hay on the outside of the stack was badly charred, but the solid hay in the middle was uninjured.

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