RootsChat.Com

Someone in my village of Codnor Park found a cast iron plate bearing the lettering: “Sarah Moreland Dealer in Small Wares”.  Please see attachment.

It was found in the back garden of a cottage on Railway Row when he had problems with the drains and his builder had to dig out for new ones.

I am at the moment trying to do some research for an article in the village newsletter.
I have found reference to Sarah as a shopkeeper in 1876 and 1877 trade directories. I wonder if she only traded in those years or is she listed in any others. Is anyone able to help? Also can anyone find any reference to her as a small wares dealer or haberdasher?

Here are the relevant details: 
Birth
Sarah was born in Birchwood near Alfreton. She was baptised with her twin  brother John on 1st Jun 1817
her parents were Thomas & Sarah Daws her father was a collier
So far I have not been able to find her with any certainty in the 1841 and 1851 Census.
Marriage
Sarah married in 1854  - details;   Thomas Moreland aged 45 was a widower whose occupation was a moulder living at Riddings. Thomas’s father was also called Thomas Moreland and he was a labourer.
Sarah Dawes was aged 37 years and was a spinster living at Newlands Farm, Greenhill Lane. No occupation is given for Sarah. Her father was Thomas Dawes, a labourer.
The witnesses were John Dawes & Hannah ?
1861 Census
Sarah is living at 5, Railway Row in Codnor Park with her husband, their two children and a visitor. Details:
Thomas Morland; aged 51; husband; occupation Pipe Moulder; Born in Alfreton
Sarah Morland; aged; 44; wife
Jane Morland; aged 5; daughter; Born in Riddings
John Morland; aged; 1 Son; Born in Codnor Park
Elizabeth Morland; aged 9; visitor born in Alfreton

Sarah’s husband Thomas dies in 1861 and is buried in Ironville on October 16th  1861 in Ironville

1871 Census
Sarah is living at 5, Railway Row with her daughter Jane and two lodgers John Wrath & George Wilkinson

Trade directories 1876 & 1877
Sarah is listed as a shopkeeper living at 5. Railway Row - This would fit in with the metal Plate “SARAH MORELAND DEALER IN SMALL WARES” - Probably a haberdasher dealing in tapes, ribbons, braids etc. Is this assumption correct?

1881 Census
Sarah aged 65 is still living at 5, Railway Row with  her son in law Henry Cartledge     aged 31 born in Long Watton  and a labourer; Her daughter Jane Cartledge aged   26 and Jane’s son  John Thomas Cartledge aged 2 who was born in Codnor Park (probably at 5, Railway Row).  N.B. no occupation is given for Sarah in any census.

Someone in my village of Codnor Park found a cast iron plate bearing the lettering: “Sarah Moreland dealer in small arms”.  See attachment.

It was found in the back garden of a cottage on Railway Row when he had problems with the drains and his builder had to dig out for new ones.

We have been wondering if its origins were related to our local village history. We have looked on the internet but can find no reference to the details on the plate.

What we have discovered so far from the 1881 census is a Sarah Moreland  living at 5, Railway Row, Codnor Park  near to were the metal plate was found.  No occupation was given.

However, looking at local trade directories from the 1870’s we have discovered a Mrs Sarah Moreland of 5, Railway Row, Codnor Park listed as a shopkeeper. I wonder if she traded in small arms?

Is anyone able to help us to link Sarah to being a “dealer in small arms”?

Any help or information would be really appreciated.

 Great local Derbyshire project detailed on this link. Take a look and cast your votes to support a brilliant local project: https://community-fund.aviva.co.uk/voti…/project/view/4-1555

I have been asked to research the history behind a locomotive driven by a relative of a local lady.  The locomotive travelled between two local ironworks both one of which closed in 1965, the line travelling alongside a local road also now also long disappeared.
I am going to use this story as article in the next local newsletter which I edit. (The lady is in the process of writing the story behind the engine driver). The first is of the engine driver with his engine. It would be nice if someone could enhance it and add some colour as the newsletter is in colour.  I have also found a photograph of a train travelling down the line but it is very poor quality.  You can actually see the goods wagons. They are painted M.R. (Midland Railway) so this probably predates 1923 when the M.R was absorbed into the newly formed L.M.S. However, the MR on the wagons does not guarantee the photo to be pre 1923. The repainting of the railway stock, 1000's of locos, station signs, carriages and humble mineral wagons would have taken many years. You can also just make out the steam from the engine towards the right of the photograph. If someone could enhance this photograph, perhaps add some colour in order that the wagons and the steam from the locomotive can be seen more clearly it would be really appreciated, (along with other features).
Many thanks,
Andy