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Local Folk
of Note |
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MARY COUCOM
The role of pioneer women was a major factor in the success of America and
Australia. One of these Women was Mary Coucom who was born in our little
Village of Thrybergh South Yorkshire in 1816 on the 25th of April. Mary
married a Thomas Wasden at Thrybergh and they emigrated and settled in Utah
U.S.A.. Mary's Shawl is in the chapel of the Mormons in Utah on display.
To learn more about Mary's Family go to the link below, which will take you
to a well documented site relating to Mary, and the hardships the family
endured making a new life there. Go to the homepage on the site to read some
very interesting records.
[ Links and information kindly supplied by Dave
Carlsen. Many Thanks Dave from John ]
The
family and history of Mary Coucom
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MARTIN KINSEY
 Martin
Kinsey [ See photo right ] was born on the 20th June 1857, the son of Noah
and Mary [ nee Hammonds ] Kinsey at Wrockwardine, Shropshire. Martin
followed his father into mining and the family moved from Shropshire to
Yorkshire sometime before 1881. Martin married Sarah Eliza Bailey at the
Baptist Chapel, High Street, Normanton, Yorkshire in 1884. He was a Sunday
School Teacher for 55 years, starting in Normanton, Yorkshire, then
Wombwell, before moving to the Thrybergh area around 1888. He was the
Preacher at Dalton for 47 years and President of the Dalton Chapel for 21
years. He was also involved in the founding of the Chapel in about 1888.he
died in 1934 at Thrybergh, near Rotherham, Yorkshire.
Link, photo, and information kindly supplied by Paul Kinsey [ Many thanks
Paul ]
To learn more about Martin and the Kinsey Family visit a terrific site run
by webmaster Paul Kinsey
http://www.geocities.com/yesnikrp/Introduction.htm
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THE STEEPLES FAMILY
 James
Henry Steeples, Joe Steeples and Catherine Arundel were the licensee’s of
the Grapes Hotel, Dalton Brook during the years 1905 to1926. The Steeples
family were well known in the Rotherham area. Their son Laurie became a
legend of Snooker
I am informed that the Steeples built the Rotherham Empire.
Apparently the money taken at the bar of the Grapes
Hotel was thrown into a bathtub which was placed behind the bar. Two men
were hired to remove the money several times throughout the day and take it
to a strong room. Local legend has it that when one of the Steeples children
was very ill the roadway was lined with bark to deaden the sound of passing
vehicles. [ Contributor Mr. Danny Cassidy ] Terry Steeples was the manager
of the Rotherham Empire in the 1950's and 60's and was responsible for
bringing some of the rock n roll singers of the day like Craig Douglas to
Town.
One of the many legends surrounding the Grapes was
sent in by Raye Kelly concerning the day his Grandad Kelly had a fight
outside the Grapes Hotel with Ian ( iron ) Hague from Mexbro, it was just
before Haigh was due to fight Sam Langford for the title I don't quite know
which title, anyway the tale goes that due to his poor performance outside
the Grapes, all the betting went off him and sure enough he lost. |
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CHARLES HENRY BALL
Charles Henry Ball was the first first occupier of the Managers House. The
Pit managers house is on the intersection of Hollings Lane and Vale Road.
Although Hollings Lane continued upwards to the Pit as Hollings Lane, it was
known to the locals as " The Pit Hill " and the corner where the house
stands became known in Mr. Balls time as " Balls Corner "
[ Contributor Mr. Danny Cassidy ]
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JAMES ROSS
Born approx 1766 - Died: 18 Aug 1836 JAMES ROSS was known as the" Bard of
Thrybergh " who was the village schoolmaster for 25 years. Ross was educated
at Hollis Hill School Rotherham where Ebenezer Elliott, five years his
junior also attended. The poets father was a mason who lived in Quarry Hill
Rotherham, and James was the second son of a family of fourteen children.
[ contributor Heather Palmer ] |
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ALBERT NIGHTINGALE
Born, 10 November 1923 Albert Nightingale became a sporting hero, now
residing in Huddersfield Albert has fond memories of Thrybergh, and
remembers handing out awards in a local Pub [ possibly The Fullerton Hotel.
]
[ contributor Mark Polson ] |
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JAMES H.[ Jimmie ] TOWNEND J. P. C. C.
Born in 1886 at Dodworth Yorkshire James was found in Rotherham in 1901 as
an Apprentice Boot Maker . Better remembered in our time as old Mr. Townend
the Village Cobbler a well respected man. He was at one time a member of
Thrybergh and Districts Co-operative Guild and was responsible for the James
Ross centenary celebration in 1936. A very religious man seldom seen without
his Bible tucked under his arm. Legend has it that when locals would go to
collect their repaired items of footware and asked what the cost was. J. H.
Townend would say How much do you have? and that would be the cost. My own
memory of Mr. Townend is very vague but I remember my Mother describing him
as a very nice man.
[ contributors Heather Palmer Danny Cassidy John Doxey ] |
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Dr. SEDGEWICK
Was the Doctor at Thrybergh pre 1960, and the Surgery was on Doncaster Road
next to St. Gerard's Church. My memory of Dr. Sedgewick was the little
trilby hat, the long black overcoat, and his little black bag. In later
years when he made his house calls he would have to be helped from his car
to the house. |
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DR. MICHAEL WILLIAM DIBB G. P.
The G.P.in Thrybergh in the 1950's and 60's his father was William Dibb, GP
based in nearby Bramley. Dr Michael Dibb was a quietly spoken man, with a
very pleasant manner, a true gentleman. His wife Sheila Dibb, was a school
doctor in Rotherham and is now retired, still living there in Rotherham.
Michaels son William [ who furnished the above
information ] carried on the family tradition of being involved in Medicine
and has become an expert in the field of epidemics, pestilence etc, and is
now based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. A lot of people referred to
the family has ‘Dibs or Dibbs’ even though the real name is Dibb. |
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DR. PRICE
Entered the practice at Thrybergh in the early 1960's, when he first arrived
like most young doctors it took quite awhile for him to become established.
[ The fear of the unknown ] Not to many locals were willing to see him,
except my Dad Ike Doxey who realised by seeing Dr Price he could get out of
the surgery a lot quicker than waiting in turn to see Dr Dibb. So he spent
some time spinning the good doctor with a few of his tales of mystery and
imagination which had nothing to do with his health. |
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ERNEST RIGBY Chemist
Ernest arrived in Thrybergh in 1949 to run the chemist shop on Park Lane for
a Johnny Mitchell who owned the business. In 1961Ernest bought the shop and
retired in the year 2002 after fifty three years. In a recent Rotherham
Advertiser Article Earnest confirmed what we all suspected and is quoted
"Some of the doctors' had shocking handwriting," He was well known for his
friendly, helpful, and always polite personality, A well respected member of
the community [ source John Doxey and Rotherham Advertiser article
4/12/2002 By Lisa Rookes ] |
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JOHN PLATT
Was born 9th March 1728 in Thrybergh. The Platt family were a long
established name in Thrybergh John became an architect and mason, he worked
on Clifton House, Feoffees School, Aston, Thundercliffe, Ferham House, and
Wentworth Castle he died in 1810 |
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FRED, GEORGE, AND GRAHAM FOSTER
As owners of Fosters store Fred, George and Graham provided a great
service to the community, often helping out their customers in times of
need, as in the Miners strikes. The men today are remembered by the locals.
Always knew their customers and treated them with respect, in return they
earned the respect from their customers and left a great memory of how a
business should be run. |
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WILLIAM GILL
Often referred to as old Billy or Bill. he was the village plumber for many
years. Born in Penistone I believe, Bill firstly worked for the Coal Company
maintaining their properties, when Rotherham Rural Council purchased the
Coal Company Houses Bill was offered a position as a Plumber for the
Council. Bill was a walking encyclopedia on the locals of not only Thrybergh
and Dalton but every other Village in the old Rural District area.
A fine tradesman trained in the old tradition of
completing every job to a high standard, and leaving the job clean, "A brush
and shovel were the first tools I was taught to use" he would state. Billy
was one of the most helpful people I ever met, he would often be found
repairing household items for the tenants who could not afford to have them
repaired or replaced. Billy's charge for this was simply a cuppa tea, and a
chat of course. Bills motto was "you are never to old to learn" and would
listen to any ideas even from youngsters. Bill passed away around 1965 and
it was one of my proudest moments when at the age of seventeen I was asked
to be a coffin bearer for this wonderful old tradesman. |
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DANNY WILLIAMS
One of the Rotherham Area's most popular figures in his day, Danny attended
St. Gerard's R.C. School, started his soccer career at Silverwood and went
on to play for Rotherham United. When he retired Danny opened up the Danny
Williams Sports Shop in Rotherham. My Mother took me in there one day and
introduced me to Danny, it was one of the great moments of my childhood. |
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JOHN HENRY GREEN
John Henry Green was born in Dalton the son of Henry Green a coalminer. The
family moved to Rawmarsh around 1860. John Henry was to become known as
Henry in later years. After a life of involvement in the local communities
he sadly passed away in his Thrybergh Home. The newspaper report of his sad
passing is a really fine tribute to this remarkable man. |
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GRAHAM BROWN
Graham Brown of Thrybergh became a Violinist, he went on to become leader of
the orchestra at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden |
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REGINALD GRAY
Reginald Gray was perhaps the most successful leader of the Silverwood band,
born in Rotherham the son of a Welsh Miner. People like Reginald were
without doubt the givers in local communities, taking a great pride in what
they did, giving up their time , the end result being a gift and treasured
memory for the whole community.
This is Reginald's story.
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FLORENCE EVENS
Florence Evens became interested in politics when the miners’ strike was
affecting the Rotherham area in 1926, and was to serve on Thrybergh Parish
Council from1941 until she resigned as secretary in 1955.
In 1954 Florence was the only women on the Sheffield, Rotherham and District
Smoke Abatement Committee. was a Governor of Maltby Grammar School also one
of the manager's of Thrybergh and District Primary Schools and also a member
of the National Women’s Citizens Association.
She represented Rotherham Rural Council on the pollution committee she was
also a Labour councillor in Rotherham District Council; was a member of the
Rother Valley Division Education Committee and worked with the South
Yorkshire Women’s Advisory Council.
In recent years Florence was named amongst the top 100 Yorkshire Women of
the century
Source Rotherham Advertiser 21.8.1954
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STEPHEN PURSEHOUSE
Stephen was born in 1951 the son of Gordon Purshouse, who was the office
manager for Thrybergh’s only business, a building firm called Beedons.
Stephen attended Maltby Grammar school. At the age of 15 he took on the role
of organist at St. Peters Church Thrybergh, primarily, and also later
filled in at St. Leonards prior to studying at University at the age of 18.
Obtaining four degrees Stephen has progressively achieved in his life, and
at present is the Dean of Engineering at The Cooper Union for the
Advancement of Science and Art, in New York City. The University is unique
-- it is the last and only surviving tuition free school in the USA. It has
never charged, and never will. www.cooper.edu Abraham Lincoln gave his
most famous "right makes might" speech in the great hall. The suffragette
(sp?) movement started there too. The Cooper Union is one of the most
selective colleges in the United States, with an acceptance rate of 10-12%.
With nearly 70% of accepted students coming to attend, it is also one of the
most desirable schools in the country. Stephen also does medical research
at Lenox Hill Hospital, and has his own start-up company into internet
security, which all in all keeps him quite busy.
However his love of music continues and until recently he played at two
churches in Harlem, but finally got tired of getting up at 6.00a.m. on
Sundays. Stephen has his own instrument in his apartment, and informs me he
can shake the building if he wants it to !!
Stephen has kindly consented to place his memories of Thrybergh here on
this site and what inspired him to become quite the remarkable achiever he
undoubtedly is. The life of Stephen Purshouse
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THE BEEDEN FAMILY
Arriving in Thrybergh just prior to 1891Tom Beeden and his family
established themselves as much respected people in the Village, Tom as head
gardener for the Fullerton family, and his son Walter as a successful
Builder. Beeden Close is a new addition the the list of Thrybergh streets
and is a tribute to the family.
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