- PENNY ELLIS -
THORALBY
THROUGH TIME
Willis Family Thoralby Blacksmiths Over 100 Years Smithy
The earliest evidence we have for a Blacksmiths in Thoralby is the will of John Matchell d. 1705, Thoralby, Blacksmith. He leaves “east Hallgarth … my House … shope or smiddy” firstly to his wife Maudlin and then to my son Robert.
I do not know for certain where this smidy was in the village, but think it probable it was just round the corner from Hallgarth at what is now known as Wayside, below is a section of the Tithe map from 1840, house No. 181 is Hallgarth and building No. 120 was the smidy.
The next evidence of a blacksmith is in the Trade Directory of 1823 Baines, when Willis John, blacksmith is listed. The Willis family appear to have been Blacksmiths in Thoralby for over 100 years and they and other smiths appear in the 1840 Tithe Award for Thoralby and subsequent Trade Directories and Census Returns.
John Willis (1795-1875) at the time of the Tithe of 1840 and Census of 1841, John and his wife Eleanor and sons, Matthew 11, John 9 and James 6, were living at Grafton No.93 on the tithe (see below).
The blacksmith's shop that the Willis family used in the 1840s was alongside the village shop in the centre of Thoralby, very convenient for passing trade, see the photograph below.
Thoralby village shop and stables and blacksmiths shop, courtesy of G.V. & A. Sadler.
This photograph of the grocer’s shop predates the building of the Reading Room in 1887. To the right of the shop, where the Reading Room now stands, were stables belonging to John Sadler, a solicitor and landowner living at High Green House. Behind the stables was the smithy of John Willis.
Below a 'close-up' of the smithy and horse being shoed, courtesy of G.V. & A. Sadler.
Whites Trade Directory of 1840 show the following two blacksmiths listed in Thoralby, Nicholson John and Willis John.
At the smith’s shop and cottage at the foot of the village, now known as Wayside and owned by John Nicholson was, his wife Elizabeth and son Thomas aged 20, also a smith (see Tithe Award and 1841 census return).
A further smith’s shop, since then gone was near to Beech Cottage and was also owned by John Sadler, solicitor of High Green House.
The occupants of this third smithy were William Heseltine and James Dinsdale Junr., however only 20-year-old William Heseltine appears as a smith in the 1841 census return (see Tithe Award and 1841 census return).
This means there were a total of four working blacksmiths in the 1841 census, using three different smithys.
The number of blacksmiths had reduced to three by the 1851 census return.
They was John Nicholson, aged 65 at Wayside and John aged 56 and his son James Willis, aged 21 at the smithy behind the village shop.
By the time of the 1861 census, John Nicholson had retired, dying in January 1864, aged 73 at Thoralby. So, there were only two blacksmiths, father and son John Willis, aged 66 and son Matthew aged 31.
By the time of the 1871 census the number of smiths had increased to three, once again. The Willis family had moved from their small accommodation at Pack Horse Cottage, to the larger dwelling (since converted into the village hall). It was still father and son John now aged 76 and Matthew aged 41.
The former home of the Willis family, blacksmiths, now Thoralby Village Hall.
Edward Broderick’s Valuation of 1872 shows that John Willis was still the occupier of the smithy near the village shop, but Ottiwell Sadler was now the owner of the premises. John Willis died in December 1874 aged 80. His son Matthew Heseltine Willis and grandson John Willis took over the business.
Following John Nicholson’s death in 1864, the smithy at Wayside was now owned by his son Thomas. So, it is presumably here that Leonard Heseltine, aged 46 and inn keeper of the George Inn used as his smithy. In Kelly’s Trade Directory of 1872 the following are listed for Thoralby: Heseltine Lnrd. George inn, & blacksmith and Willis John, blacksmith. However, in the Kelly’s Trade Directory for Thoralby of 1879 the following are listed for Thoralby: Heseltine Richd. George inn, & blacksmith and Willis Matthew, blacksmith.
However, by the time of the 1881 census there are only two people whose occupation is blacksmith and they are father and son Matthew H. Willis, aged 51 and son John aged 24.
It is probably sometime around this period that the blacksmiths shop behind the village shop, which the Willis family had occupied from the Sadler family, John and later Ottiwell, moved premises to the smithy at Wayside. Bulmer’s Directory of 1890 lists the following two blacksmiths for Thoralby: Willis Matthew Heseltine and Son, blacksmiths. Matthew’s son is clearly a partner in the business.
By the time of the 1891 census, there are once again three people with the occupation of blacksmith in the village of Thoralby. Father Matthew H. Willis Snr., aged 61, son John Willis aged 35 and partner and youngest son Matthew H. Willis Junr., aged 18. The Trade Directory Kellys of 1893 lists the following for Thoralby: Willis Matthew, blacksmith.
By the time of the 1901 census there remained three people with the occupation of blacksmith in the village of Thoralby. Father Matthew H. Willis Snr., aged 71, son John aged 44 and partner and youngest son Matthew H. Willis Junr., aged 26, also in the business.
In November 1903 Matthew Heseltine Willis Snr., died at the age of 74, below is a postcard showing Matthew Willis (1829-1903) with his horse and trap on the road towards Aysgarth station, Yore mills bridge can be seen in the background and Yore Mills on the left.
The following Trade Directories reflect this as in Kelly’s Directory of 1905 lists the following for Thoralby: Willis Matthew (Mrs.) & Sons, registered shoeing smiths. However, in March 1907 Jane Willis, widow of Matthew Heseltine Willis Snr., died aged 72. The Kelly’s Directory of 1909 lists the following for Thoralby: Willis Matthew H. & Sons, registered shueing smiths.
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Matthew H. Willis (1829-1903), courtesy of Jan Wilson.
The Willis family were regular members of the Primitive Methodist Chapel and
involved in the running of the chapel and Sunday school, see below.
"Willis, Matthew Heseltine and Jane (nee Bell) Primitive Methodist Magazine 1909
Transcription of Obituary published in the Primitive Methodist Magazine by J.F.
In the demise of Mr. and Mrs. M.H. Willis, Middleham Circuit lost two of its oldest and most faithful members. Mr. Willis was born at Thoralby, and for forty-three years served his church as society steward and Sunday School superintendent, giving generously of his time, energy, and money.
His genial and kindly disposition impressed all who came in contact with him and won for him many friends. He faithfully followed the injunction, “Speak. evil of no man.” Was quiet, unassuming, gentle, unselfish, honest, and upright in all his, dealings. He loved his church, and though, unable to attend the services for several months prior to his death, his interest did not diminish, and, he was delighted to hear of any success. His faith in God was strong, and concerning the future he had no doubt.
On November 11th, 1903, he passed away “to be with Jesus.” “Mark the perfect man and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace.”
Mrs. Jane Willis, wife of Matthew H. Willis, was born at Londerry, near Bedale, but had resided in Thoralby for fifty years, during which time she was closely connected with our Society.
She had a gentle, quiet, retiring nature, but the fragrance of her beautiful life will remain, for her devotion to God was as ointment poured forth.
She was a very fine type of Christian; a true friend, faithful wife, and loving mother.
Her life shone brightest in the home, and her beautiful example is worthy of being copied by her children, for she opened her box of spikenard and shed its fragrance among them.
Though for a considerable time before her death she was unable to attend the means of grace, owing to failing health, yet her faith and hope remained strong to the end. The writer visited her during her last illness, and though at times she suffered much pain, yet she manifested great patience and perfect submission to the Divine Will. In the growing weakness of body the consolation of God’s Divine presence abounded, and her soul was kept in perfect peace. She retained consciousness to the last, and some of her final words were, ‘‘Come, sweet Jesus!”
As the Angel of Death hovered round she repeated, “What is this that steals across my frame. Is it death? If this be death I soon shall be from every pain and sorrow free; I shall the King of Glory see; all is well,” and passed peacefully home to heaven, March 20th, 1907, at the age of seventy-four years.
Rose cottage, courtesy of G.V. & A. Sadler, home of the Willis family of blacksmiths pre-1901.
South view, home of the Willis family of Joiners, pre-1901.
Mr. and Mrs. Willis were tenderly nursed by their children, who spared no pains to fill their days and nights with comfort. Their home was a real Bethany to our ministers whether lay. or itinerant, and many will remember their generous hospitality.
May the holy lives of the father and mother inspire courage and devotion in the sons and daughters who are left behind.
Family
Matthew was born in 1829 at Thoralby, Yorkshire, to parents John Willis, a blacksmith, and Eleanor Hesteltine. He was baptised on 22 November 1829 at Thoralby.
Matthew was a blacksmith.
Jane was born in 1833 at Londerry, nr. Bedale, Yorkshire, to parents James, a stone mason, and Jane. She was baptised on 27 October 1833 at Beadle.
They married in early 1854 in the Bedale Registration District, Yorkshire, below is a copy of the marriage from Burneston Parish Registers, 16 January 1854.
Census returns identify nine children.
William (1855-1932) – carpenter (1891)
John (1856-1932) – blacksmith (1891)
James (1859-1912) – carpenter (1891)
Mary Ann (1861-1935) – dressmaker (1891); married Richard Webster, a pork butcher, in 1891
Rachel Heseltine (1864-1928) – married Francis Furnish, a farmer (1911), in 1887
Eleanor (Ellen) Heseltine (1868-1956) – married Francis Furnish in 1933
Elizabeth Bell (1870-1951) – married William Dinsdale, a farmer (1911), in 1899
Matthew Heseltine (1873-1926) – blacksmith (1891)
George Bell Willis (1878-1952) – a joiner & carpenter (1901); estate joiner (1911)
Matthew died on 11 November 1903 at Thoralby, Yorkshire.
Jane died on 20 March 1907 at Thoralby, Yorkshire."
Below is a photograph of Thoralby Primitive Methodist Chapel, c.1905.
Below is a copy of the 1910 O.S. map of Thoralby showing the location of the Primitive Methodist Chapel in relation to the Smithy, nearby Lime Tree House became the home of Matthew H. Willis (1973-1929) and his wife Amelia Watson (1873-1962).
Lime Tree House, 1920s, home of Matthew H. & Amelia Willis.
Below is the Smithy, c.1912-1914.
The Smithy at Town Foot, Thoralby, c. 1912-1914, courtesy of G.V. & A. Sadler.
By 1910, the Willis family had moved their business into the smithy shown here, which was near Lime Tree House and the 1910 Valuation shows that John and Matthew Willis are the owners of the smith’s shop. The left-hand side of the building known today as Wayside Cottage was a blacksmith’s forge and the right-hand side a joiner’s and wheelwright’s shop. The three employees on the left were smiths: an unknown employee (Matthew Willis - not believed to be related) with a sledgehammer, Matthew Heseltine Willis (1873-1926) and Johnnie Willis (1856-1932).
The two on the right were joiners: another Matthew Willis (1894-1928) and George Dent Willis (1893-1974). George Dent Willis, joiner and his wife and wife Clara Kendrew (1890-1970) and their 12 year old daughter, Alice emigrated to New Zealand in May 1937, see below. They continued to keep in touch with friends and relatives in Thoralby.
Below is an advertisement in a Primitive Methodist pamphlet for M.H. Willis & Sons, Registered Horse-shoers and General Smiths, Thoralby. It also states that they were Prize Winners at Darlington and Stokesley Horse-shoeing Competitions, courtesy of F. & M.E. Snaith.
The First World War 1914-1918, meant that many young men from Thoralby left their homes to serve their country and the Willis family had four of their sons serving, see below. For the Roll of Honour for all of Aysgarth Parish - All Who Served, click on this link.
Below is a photograph of the Arekengarthdale, Swaledale, blacksmith, shoeing a horse.
Notice the leather apron and clogs, similar to those worn by the Willis family at Thoralby. The busiest time of the year for the smiths was just before haytime, they attended to horses and also made and maintained a variety of implements and machines. An example of such a machine is photographed below. It is a double-horse mower, sat on the mower are my great-grandfather William Dinsdale and his son Francis Spence Dinsdale of Grange Farm, Newbiggin in the 1930s.
By the time of the 1911 census there remained two people with the occupation of blacksmith in the village of Thoralby, but only brothers John Willis aged 54 and Matthew H. Willis Junr. aged 38 were living in Thoralby. This was also the case for the 1921 census.
Kelly’s Trade Directories during 1913-1925 lists the following for Thoralby: Willis Matthew H. & Sons, registered shoeing smiths.
The table below shows the National Farriers and Blacksmiths, Price List for Shoeing in 1922. Prices ranged from 7 shillings to 13 shillings for a heavy cart horse. Information courtesy of East Riding Archives.
William Dinsdale and his son Francis Spence Dinsdale of Grange Farm, Newbiggin mowing the grass for hay with a double team of horses in the 1930s, courtesy of F. & M.E. Snaith.
The Willis family obviously noticed that by the 1920s the blacksmithing trade was dwindling at Thoralby, so they took the decision to move their business to Aysgarth, the smithy being on the centre of Aysgarth near the George & Dragon Inn and on the main highway from Leyburn to Hawes.
Willis family - Blacksmiths at Aysgarth c. 1920, courtesy of Jean Dobbing.
Matthew H. Willis Junr., died in July 1926, aged 53. He had married in 1912 Amelia Watson, and they lived at Lime Tree House, next door to the smithy. His brother John Willis, aged 70 later the same month advertised the business for sale, meaning the end of the Willis family trade after more than 100 years. John Willis died in 1932, aged 76, he never married, and lived in the family home of Rose Cottage, his father’s home.
End of the Willis family trade advertised in the Leeds Mercury, July 1926 by J. Willis, aged seventy.
The Kelly’s Trade Directory of 1929 lists the following for Thoralby: Moore Thos. shoeing smith. However, Thomas Moore had left Thoralby by 1933, when the same directory lists the following for Thoralby: Alderson Wm. Blacksmith and the same for the 1937 Directory. However, by the time of the 1939 Identity Register William Alderson (1884-1968), aged 55 had left Thoralby, moving the blacksmiths business to Aysgarth, meaning for the first time in several hundred years there was no village blacksmith at Thoralby.
Below is a table with the names of the known Blacksmiths working at Thoralby from 1690s-1930s. They are listed in alphabetical order by their surname. In the 1840s and again in the 1870s there were four working blacksmiths.
Below is an annotated copy of the 1891 O.S. map for Aysgarth, showing the position of the Smithy in relation to the George & Dragon Inn.