Tyne and Weird E-Book

Rob Kilburn

• Herausgeber: The History Press
• Kategorie: Sachliteratur, Reportagen, Biografien
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 224

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2020

Beschreibung

'Since man uttered his first word he has been telling stories for entertainment, to serve as warnings and to simply pass the time.' Huddled up against the end of Hadrian's Wall, the county of Tyne and Wear is known for its wealth of historical sites, for castles, the Venerable Bede, and stotty cakes. But did you know about Sunderland's brush with the greatest liar on earth, or the widespread mesmerism of the Victorian era? And what's the connection with all these Americans? This is an eclectic collection of local characters and historical oddities, of short (and tall) tales that perfectly illustrate just how weird Tyne and Wear can truly be.

Leseprobe

First published 2020

The History Press

97 St George’s Place, Cheltenham,

Gloucestershire, GL50 3QB

www.thehistorypress.co.uk

© Rob Kilburn, 2020

Illustrations © Dan Underwood

The right of Rob Kilburn to be identified as the Author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form or by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without the permission in writing from the Publishers.

British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data.

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

ISBN 978 0 7509 9632 7

Typesetting and origination by The History Press

Printed in Great Britain by TJ Books Limited, Padstow, Cornwall.

eBook converted by Geethik Technologies

I would like to thank my grandparents Bill and Rachel Horabin, who throughout my life have shown unconditional love and support for every project into which I have dipped my toe. My parents, Rachel and Steven Kilburn, whose continued confidence has given me the strength and opportunities to chase all of my dreams. And last, but certainly not least, you the reader – whether you have followed my work online, watched a documentary I directed or simply picked up this book by accident, I wouldn’t have made it this far without you.

I’d like to think since man uttered his first word he has been telling stories for entertainment, to serve as warnings and to simply pass the time. This collection of tales from my home county of Tyne and Wear hopefully reflects a diverse catalogue of some of the stories that may otherwise have been lost to time. While I can’t vouch for the complete truth of these stories due to their historic timeframe and reliance on archives, as well as the fact they have come from word-of-mouth accounts, what I can say is that it is up to you the reader what you would like to believe.

1 THE AMERICAS

2 CREATIVES

3 CHARACTERS

4 BREAKING THE LAW

5 TRAGEDY

6 THE WEIRD

7 THINGS THAT GO BUMP IN THE NIGHT

Spreading all over the world, British citizens have left their native country for reasons innumerable. Some have sought more freedom, economic prosperity, and others adventure, with many making the arduous journey to the continents of both North and South America in hopes of changing their fortune. Below are accounts connected to the North East, with some people arriving and others departing, but all are tied to our county of Tyne and Wear.

JOHN TRUMBLE

Whether they were fleeing persecution, or hoping to carve out a piece of land for themselves, the opportunities that the colonisation of America provided drew in people from all over England. One interesting local man who travelled overseas at this time was John Trumble of Newcastle upon Tyne.

Born in 1612, he boarded a ship destined for America and settled in Rowley, Massachusetts. Here he worked as a town clerk and teacher, becoming a respected member of his community. He died in 1687, having been one of the earliest settlers in this part of the world. By choosing to brave the journey and face the unknown, John had started a legacy that rippled on through generations.

Over a number of years, descendants of the Trumble family went on to do great things. John’s grandson, Jonathan Trumbull Sr, was the only man to be both governor of an English colony and of an American state. When the Revolutionary War began he was the only governor to take up the patriot cause against the English. In commemoration of the actions he took in his life, a number of places in the USA are named after him.

John Trumbull, son of Jonathan Trumbull Sr, is often referred to as the painter of the revolution. Painting historic scenes from the war, his talents soon made him popular, eventually leading to him painting George Washington. His painting of the Declaration of Independence and other works hang in the United States Capitol rotunda to this day.

While there are still a number of interesting people descendant from the original John Trumbull that I have left out, these are the most famous examples. The impact one Newcastle man had on history by braving the journey and settling into a new life is undoubtable. It does make you wonder though, what John Trumbull would have thought of his grandson’s pursuit of an America free from British rule.

SLAVERY AND FREEDOM

Mary Ann Macham was born in Virginia in the United States in 1802 to an enslaved mother and a father who was a slave owner. On a cold Christmas Day in 1831 she arrived in North Shields on board a ship named the Atlas, having escaped her cruel life on the plantation back in America.

Though not much is known about her life prior to her arrival, it is possible she may have bought passage across the Atlantic or been helped by a secret organisation known as the Underground Rail Road, who used a number of contacts and safe houses to help more than 10,000 enslaved people flee the southern states to head north.

The Atlas initially docked in Grimsby before the ship’s captain brought her to the North East, perhaps knowing of sympathetic families that might take her in. The Spence family, who were Quakers, employed her as a domestic servant in the various homes of family members. In 1841, Mary married a local man named James Blyth who worked as a rope maker and later a banker’s porter, possibly working for the Spence family bank. The couple lived in various houses on Howard Street in North Shields until James’s death in 1877.

After the death of her husband, Mary continued to live in North Shields, staying with relatives of her husband in South Benwell. In 1893, at the age of 91, Mary died and was buried in Preston Village Cemetery, having enjoyed sixty years of freedom.

FREDERICK DOUGLASS

Frederick Douglass, born Frederick Augustus Washington Bailey, was born in 1818 in Cordova, Maryland. After living as a slave for twenty years, Douglass escaped and began campaigning for black emancipation, racial justice and a number of other progressive ideas considered radical at the time. He also started the North Star newspaper whilst battling to end segregation in schools.

In August 1846 he arrived in Tyne and Wear as part of a tour where he would give talks. During this visit he spoke at three different locations, one in North Shields, the other two in Newcastle. At this time Newcastle and the North East had a strong abolitionist community, which immediately caught Douglass’ attention. He later returned in December of the same year for another two speaking engagements and whilst here stayed with a Quaker family known by the surname Richardson.

In part the Richardson family consisted of Henry, his wife Anna and his sister Ellen. They were well known as abolitionists and activists who at this time took a particular interest in Douglass’ case. As he had escaped his former master, payment was required, making him technically an unfree man, something that bothered the Richardson family. Following months of fundraising this small group of Quakers, miles away from Douglass’ birthplace, raised enough funds to purchase his freedom and his bill of emancipation was produced.

Though their act was not without its critics, as some believed the purchase legitimised slavery, Douglass was grateful to be able to continue his work back in the United States without fear of being arrested. Douglass spoke in the North East a number of times, always receiving a warm welcome. However, he was not the only former slave to give speeches in the abolitionist circuit in the North. Speaking on his time in Newcastle, Douglas is quoted as saying, ‘Newcastle had a heart that could feel for three millions of oppressed slaves in the United States.’

WILLIAM MACDONALD

William Macdonald was born in the West Indies into a life of enslavement sometime during the late 1700s. While little is known about his early years it was a chance encounter at a dock sometime during the early nineteenth century that brought him here. Hearing the sailors there talk of how England was a land of freedom, William set about making his escape.

Concealing himself aboard a ship bound for London, he hid below deck for three days without food. When he made his presence known, to the astonishment of the sailors on board, they gave him food and showed him kindness. An article in the Nottinghamshire Guardian on 8 May 1851 tells of his reaction upon landing on English soil, ‘As soon as the vessel arrived at London, his love of liberty was so intense that he instantly leaped on shore, though imperfectly clothed, without either money or friends, and with an imperfect knowledge of the English language.’

He eventually made his way up north, deciding to stay in Sunderland, where he reportedly worked at a number of local collieries as a coal hewer. His life was cut short by an accident at Monkwearmouth Colliery in 1851 when rope attached to the tubs broke and he was crushed between another tub, effectively being strangled. William was the only fatality of this accident and the result of the inquest concluded that cold weather had affected the otherwise reliable machinery.

It seems that in Sunderland William MacDonald not only found freedom but acceptance. While slavery had been abolished in Britain some years earlier, it was not until 1833 that it would be abolished elsewhere in the British Empire. The original Sunderland Herald article that reported his death describes him as being an industrious man, a member of the Church of England and much respected by his neighbours.

FORGOTTEN ACT OF KINDNESS

The Quaker family known as the Richardsons are well remembered in the county for the generosity they have shown to those most in need. In particular, as mentioned earlier, they helped emancipate fugitive slaves Frederick Douglas and William Wells Brown by purchasing their freedom and allowing them to continue lecturing on the abolitionist circuit. One story that seems to be largely forgotten is the act of kindness they showed to a travelling tribe of Native Americans.

The Ioway Indians were a travelling troupe of Native Americans who toured Europe in the 1800s. Often performing demonstrations of scalping and exhibiting different rituals from their culture, the public frequently regarded them as savages. One place they seem to have found comfort is in the North East with the Richardson family.

The tribe toured Tyne and Wear, visiting a coal pit and seeing local sights. One of their first enquiries upon arriving in Newcastle was if it had a jail; while they had seen prisons before, the concept seemed foreign to them. Their time in the North East is surprisingly well chronicled by George Catlin, who travelled with and recorded them. When the time came for the group to leave they headed towards Scotland, leaving behind the new friends they had made.

Sadly, while travelling in Scotland the child of tribe member Little Wolfe passed away. Born on the Missouri River during the first leg of their journey and named after the boat that brought them to Europe, baby Corsair was not yet a year old. Rather than bury their child as soon as possible, the tribe returned to Newcastle to be among friends. Anna Richardson, who was instrumental in bringing the group to Newcastle, organised the burial in February 1845 at Westgate Hill Cemetery, where the gravestone is still visible today.

Continuing with their tour, the tribe eventually arrived in Paris, where Corsair’s mother also tragically passed away. Thought to have been caused by the grief of the loss of her child, the Ioway Indians returned to America not long after. Thankfully not all of their tour was as tragic, and upon their return they wrote letters describing how they enjoyed the time they spent in the North East and would remember the friends they had made.

AMERICA CIVIL WAR VETERANS

Born in Church Way, North Shields, Robert Rennoldson was a young apprentice on a British shipping vessel when the war between the North and South began. When the ship docked in an American port, Rennoldson, eager for adventure, reportedly left the vessel determined to take part in the fighting.

It is said he came into contact with some farmers who were more interested in tending to their land than engaging in the warfare and who were also offering a bounty to men who would fight in their place. Rennoldson accepted this bounty and fought for five years before returning to the farmer and eventually making his way back to North Shields. Upon his return he secured work as a shipyard labourer, living in his home town into his 70s until he passed away in 1917.

Born in Ireland in 1836, John Pendergast moved to North Shields at a young age, possibly as a result of the famine. Far from being alone, it is estimated 8 per cent of Newcastle’s population in 1851 were Irish born. Sometime during the 1850s John travelled to the United States, and in 1862 joined the Northern Army as a private in Captain Lewis Beckworth’s company of the 15th Battalion, Connecticut Fusiliers, many of whom were also Irish. John is reported to have seen some hard fighting in places like Port Hudson, along the Red River and in Sheridan’s Shenandoah Valley campaign before the war would end.

After three years’ active service he was discharged at Savannah in August 1865. He then returned home to North Shields and settled down, residing in Liddell Terrace when he died on 5 May 1901.

Both men are buried in Preston Cemetery, although it was sometime after his death that Robert Rennoldson was recognised as a veteran of the Civil War. Growing interest in commemorating the actions of veterans who had fought in the wars that America was involved in saw an annual ceremony commemorating these and other veterans from the area.

AN AMERICAN CIVIL WAR HERO

George H. Bell was born in Sunderland on 12 March 1839. His family moved to Newcastle shortly after, where George would begin his maritime career aged 14. Over the next seven years George would sail the Atlantic Ocean, Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Caribbean Sea, Indian Ocean and Mediterranean Sea.

During the beginning of the American Civil War in 1861, George was docked at New York City, where he would enlist in the United States Navy. He joined the USS Santee and quickly rose through the ranks due to his vast experience at sea.

At Galveston Bay, Texas, on 7 November 1861, the USS Santee was tasked with destroying the Confederate Ship Royal Yacht. The ship was caught by surprise in the early hours of the morning but the battle was still fierce and is said to have included hand-to-hand combat. The Santee suffered one fatality in the skirmish, with the Royal Yacht eventually catching fire. Thomas Chubb, the captain of the Royal Yacht, was arrested with much of his crew and sent to New York. There he would be sentenced to hang, only to escape the gallows in a prisoner exchange.

In 1863, George was awarded the Medal of Honour in recognition of his service in the United States Military and the conflict with the RoyalYacht in particular. He finished out his service and returned to the North East, where he spent much of his life until he died in 1917 and was buried in Newcastle.

KIDNAPPED TO FIGHT IN THE CIVIL WAR

Beginning in 1861, the American Civil War between the North and South over controversial slavery laws saw many men from both sides drafted in to fight. One story that has gone seemingly unnoticed, however, is that British men, often sailors, were press-ganged into fighting for the unionists. Reports in 1864 surfaced detailing the stories of men who had either been brought to America against their will, under false pretences or who had been kidnapped while docked in harbour.

Twenty-six-year-old James Conway was an Irishman who had married and settled in Sunderland. James was one of those unfortunate enough to be press-ganged when, in May of 1863, he was on board the Coral Queen docked in New York Harbour. After a few days there he gained permission to go ashore and visited a public house in Water Street, where he had a small amount to drink. The next thing he knew he woke up in a village in the state of Ohio wearing military uniform and destined to join the 6th Hampshire Regiment under General Grant. His drink had been drugged. Despite James protesting that he had been made a soldier against his will, he was informed that a bounty had been paid for him and that he would be compelled to stay and fight. Arriving outside an encampment in Nashville, he stayed there for roughly six weeks before being made a sentry and stealthily escaping during the night.

Travelling by steamboat as a stowaway, he made his way to Indiana, getting out before the boat reached its destination of Pennsylvania so as not to be caught as a deserter. He continued on foot, surviving on little food and getting the occasional few days’ work as a labourer until a democrat took pity on him, taking him in for a few days, feeding him and also changing his clothes. In Pittsburgh he again worked as a labourer for a few weeks, saving up enough money to get a train back to New York, where he managed to gain passage on board a ship bound for Liverpool. Upon his arrival he immediately had to go to hospital to recover from the hardships he had endured, and after leaving managed to make his way home to Sunderland on another boat. James Conway was gone for over a year with no way of contacting his family, leaving them in a terrible state of suspense as to his fate. In a letter in which he described his ordeal he stated that following his forced adventure he changed career and became involved in the coal trade.

Another letter, from a Sunderland man named William Downs, described how he was also forcibly enlisted while also docked in New York. William told how he had been enlisted in the navy for three years and that he would soon be sent to join a blockade. Though William did not seem to mind too much, stating that it was a good opportunity to make money, he told how he hoped the war would soon come to an end and that he would be discharged before his three years’ service. In the letter he also mentioned a friend named William Johnson who had been enlisted in the army but gave no more information.

This final story of Civil War kidnapping is that of an apprentice in the barque Resolution of Sunderland, belonging to Messrs Nicholson & Son. While his name was not mentioned a letter that reached a man named Captain Brunton, he told in it how during his time docked at New York he was enticed to desert his vessel and go to a boarding house under the promise of a job paying more money. Only a few days later he too was drugged and woke up to find himself enrolled in the Federal Army. This man, whose name was not mentioned, was wounded at Spotsylvania Court House on 12 May 1864, but by July his wounds were said to have healed. Terrified of being sent to the front again, he wrote to Captain Brunton, begging for enough money to make his way to New York and then safety. Captain Brunton obliged this request and sent the money but had to leave soon after and the report stated the fate of this man was unknown.

It was not only Sunderland men who were unfortunate enough to be forcibly enlisted to fight in the American Civil War, as reports of these strange practices seem nationwide. While these events seem to have been almost entirely forgotten, it is my opinion that it would certainly make an exciting movie. James Conway was likely one of few men to escape his forced adventure and there will have been many who were not so lucky.

ULYSSES S. GRANT

Ulysses S. Grant arrived in Newcastle on 20 September 1877. Thousands of spectators came to watch his arrival and during his time in the North East many of his appearances drew huge crowds. Grant’s achievements during the end of the American Civil War saw him re-elected as president and made him famous across the world.

On his second day he toured Tynemouth, meeting local South Shields MP James Cochran Stevenson and taking in a display by the local Lifeboat Brigade. On the evening in question he attended the performance of a specially written play entitled North and South! An Episode of Vicksburg, about the forbidden love between a Union officer and the daughter of a Confederate general. Before leaving Newcastle a parade was thrown in his honour, during which he made a speech to an audience of more than 80,000 people.

Ulysses S. Grant arrived in Monkwearmouth train station on his third day into his visit in the North East. He had written to the mayor prior to his visit requesting that a holiday be granted to shopkeepers on the day of his arrival, which was permitted. During his visit to Sunderland the foundation stone for the Museum and Winter Gardens was laid in his presence commemorating the event, during which he toured many parts of the local industry.

The eighteenth President of the United States left for Sheffield a few days later to continue his tour of the world. Ulysses S. Grant was said to have enjoyed his time in the North East and made his appreciation known while speaking to the press: ‘I have had no better reception in any place, nor do I think it possible to have a better. All I have seen since I have been on the Tyne has been to me most gratifying as an individual.’

Did you know that in 1977, President of the United States of America Jimmy Carter paid a visit to Newcastle? In an effort to strengthen ties between the USA and England, there was an exchange of travellers and Carter was keen to see Newcastle for himself.

MUHAMMAD ALI

In that same year of 1977, boxing legend Muhammad Ali flew into Newcastle Airport. Spending four days in the area accompanied by his then wife Veronica, the couple visited a mosque in South Shields to have their marriage blessed. Invited by former South Shields boxer Johnny Walker, who had flown to America to ask Ali in person if he would visit, ‘the Greatest’ obliged and showed great kindness in helping a cause to raise money for a local boxing club. Visiting at the peak of his career, locals turned out in their thousands with slack jaws, not quite believing that they could get so close to such a legend. He would become heavyweight boxing champion of the world three times, no doubt making his visit even more unforgettable to those who were lucky enough to experience it.

BUFFALO BILL IN THE NORTH EAST

William Frederick Cody, also known as Buffalo Bill, was born in 1846 in what is now the state of Iowa in the United States. Bill started working at the age of 11, and became a rider for the Pony Express not long after before serving in the American Civil War. Bill is believed to have received his nickname from his time spent contracted to providing the Kansas City Railroad with buffalo meat, during which he is estimated to have killed 4,282 buffalo in eighteen months.

In December 1872 he made his stage debut in a Wild West show, before going on to form his own group and touring the states. Having visited the UK previously on a tour, he returned in 1904 and performed in a number of places he had not visited previously. Four of those locations were Newcastle, North Shields, South Shields and Sunderland.

During his stay in Newcastle on this tour Buffalo Bill performed twelve times, setting up camp on the town moor, and it was reported to have attracted more than 14,000 people, with many coming from afar to see it. His show in North Shields was set up on a field near Linskill Terrace and some spectators even watched from the tower of the Wesleyan Memorial Church in the hope of a better view. At Buffalo Bill’s invitation the Mayor of Cardiff attended this performance, as the two had been previously acquainted, occupying a special box. During an interval of this performance he was interviewed about his abstinence from alcohol. He said:

I am an abstainer, and have been for some years past. I was led to abandon alcoholic liquors because I found it best for health, purse, reputation, and, more especially, as an example to those under me. I insist upon sobriety very strictly, because in work like ours it is absolutely necessary. Horsemanship and skill with the rifle demand it.

The show in South Shields equally captivated its audience as they sat watching the Rough Riders of the World perform fantastic feats. His show featured people from all over the globe such as South Americans, Japanese and Native American warriors. Johnny Baker, a member of his troupe, was particularly acknowledged during this report for his ability to shoot multiple glass balls out of the air at once while on horseback. The report details the most memorable act of his South Shields performance being the cowboy cyclist named Carter. Carter plunged down a specially built platform on his bike and jumped a gap of 55ft, causing an uproar in the audience.

In Sunderland reports detail how Bill’s three trains pulled into Monkwearmouth Station, almost immediately drawing crowds of thousands as they made their journey to Lane Ends Farm. Bill was said to be a very friendly man and welcomed visitors. He enquired if there were any veterans of the Indian Wars in America, to which he was surprised to find out a man named Chas Berry, a resident of Harrogate Street, was involved in the Mexican–American War (1846–48) and invited him to attend the show.

Entertainment has changed a great deal since the days of Buffalo Bill and his Wild West show, but I believe that there are few today who would not have found this an amazing show to attend.

STAN LEE