Ushaw Moor Memories

I took a sample of seventy two families that were living in the Ushaw Moor area from the 1891 census - so that I could get some idea of the extent of the incoming labour force that had been attracted by work in a coal mining community. I could then, by and large, pinpoint the areas from which they had originated. My focus was the head of each family, which in almost every case was a male member of the household.  The findings were as follows:

41 heads of families – born in County Durham

8 – Yorkshire

4 –Cumberland

4 -Ireland

4 -Northumberland

3-Norfolk

3-Suffolk

2 -Essex

1 -Derbyshire

1-Kent

1-Somerset

So about 57% of them were born in County Durham but clearly a very significant number were not. I am aware that a few families, that are not included in the sample, came from Wales.

MURDER

Thomas Pyle, a widower, had been murdered in 1882, during the time of the very acrimonious Ushaw Moor Miners’ strike. He was a platelayer employed at the colliery and found dead in Redhills, Durham City. At one time he had lived in Witton Gilbert. Some people had suspected that Thomas Westoe was involved in the murder but in fact it had been committed by Peter Bray. Bray was executed in November 1883 for Pyle’s murder. [source Darrell Nixon who had examined the relevant records].

If you have not yet read the account of the strike I recommend it to you. It has everything – murder, pistol shots, a colliery manager that became out of control, a wealthy colliery owner that lived in a castle, a distressed school mistress and a kindly and constructive Catholic priest.

Best regards

Wilf Bell

1947 was about more than just feeling the financial pinch, Dennis Compton’s glorious batting and a shocking winter. Many residents of Ushaw Moor, Browney Colliery and Waterhouses were unhappy about water closet management. At Browney many of the closets were not fit for use and many residents had to visit neighbours to meet their personal and natural requirements. The wagons called fortnightly and were inadequate during the hot summer conditions. At Waterhouses and Ushaw Moor the refuse was emptied into the streets prior to removal on to the wagons but children were often playing nearby. To make matters worse - the wagons were driving around the streets uncovered. There was considerable anger expressed by some at the time and no doubt there was a fear of epidemics – shades of Victorian town life! The stated reason for the uncovered wagons was a shortage of sheet metal but it was said to have arrived so matters could only improve. A new wagon that had been on order for over twelve months was said to be due shortly and that was promising.

A report by a Sanitary Inspector that 252 and a quarter pounds of butter had been condemned in the district brought comments from several councillors. One remarked on the alleged wastage and suggested that grocers should be allowed to sell extra to customers when there was a possibility of butter going bad. This will be linked to rationing which was still very much in place. It was decided that a letter of complaint would be sent to the Food Office.