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 THE UTTOXETER ADVERTISER AND ASHBOURNE TIMES,  MAY 29, 1901.

UTTOXETER PETTY SESSIONS. (Wednesday). Before Captain Dawson (Chairman) and C. W. Lyon, Esc's. OBSCENE LANGUAGE. Alfred Nield, High Street. was summoned for making use of obscene language outside his own premises on the 15th. Police-constable Crawshaw stated the facts, and defendant, who admitted the offence was let off on payment of costs. Jas and Mary Bloor, husband and wife, of the Smithfield Road, were summoned for using bad language in that thoroughfare on the 16th inst.—The cases being proved defendants were each fined.       DRUNK IN CHARGE. Abraham Sherriff, a travelling gipsy.was summoned for being drunk whilst in charge of a brown mare attached to a van at Rocester on the 11th inst.---   defendant who did not appear, was fined…   John Harrison, a farmer summoned for similar offence committed in the town on the 10th inst.. was. on the evidence of Police-constable Crawshaw. fined 5s., with 14s. 6d. costs.    TRESPASSING AFTER RABBITS. Thos. Hodgkinson and Thos. smith, brickyard labourers, Uttoxeter. were charged with trespassing on land in the occupation of Win. Heath. at Loxlev, in search of rabbits on the 11th May. Hewlett, underkeeper to deposed to seeing the defendants, accompanied by two dogs, rabbiting on land near Loxley Green.--Defendants admitted being there, and were each fined 10s. with 6s. 9d. costs.  .

Uttoxeter Advertiser and Ashbourne Times -   09 August 1899
 
 UTTOXETER PETTY SESSIONS. WEDNESDAY.    DRUNK AND DISORDERLY. Henry Bloor of Smithfield Road, was, on the facts being stated by P.C. Steele, fined  for being drunk and disorderly in the town on the 26th ult.—Mary Bloor, Smithfield Road, who did not appear, was summoned by P.C. Crawshaw for being drunk and making use of of bad language in the Smithfield Road on the 26th ult., and was fined 10s. with 6s. 6d. costs--Summoned on a like charge Thomas Bloor, of the Smithfield Road, was fined  —P.C. Wormsley proved the case.   —Annie Follows, single woman, Smithfield Road, was  summoned and fined……….. 

 Uttoxeter Advertiser and Ashbourne Times - 08 March 1899

UTTOXETER PETTY SESSIONS. WEDNESDAY.  DRUNK AND DISORDERLIES.    —A similar charge against Jno. Udall, of the Smithfield Road, was dismissed ; whilst Stephen Udall, Jas. Blore, jun., and Hy. Blore, were fined 5s. with 6s. 6d. costs each for similar misconduct in the Smithfield Road, on the 18th ult.—Horatio Bond, labourer, was dealt with in a like manner for being drunk and disorderly on the 19th ult. Policc-constables Fisher and Kettle proved the cases. 

Uttoxeter Advertiser and Ashbourne Times -  18 October 1899

UTTOXETER PETTY BESEIONS. WEDNESDAY.  ADJOURNED. Elizabeth Thorley was summoned for using abusive language towards Stephen Udall, on the Smithfield Road, on the 27th September.— Complainant said defendant shouted to him about being a ticket-of leave man. - The case was adjourned for a month. 

Uttoxeter Advertiser and Ashbourne Times -   29 November 1899
 
UTTOXETER PETTY SESSIONS.   —Eliza Blore, Smithfield Road, was summoned for using obscene language in the thoroughfare where she lives on the 7th inst.—P.C. Fisher proved the case, and defendant was fined   
 
 Uttoxeter Advertiser and Ashbourne Times -  21 September 1898

 UTTOXETER PETTY SESSIONS. WEDNESDAY.  RIVAL BLACKBERRY GATHERERS. Margaret Udale, of the Smithfield Road, was summoned by Hannah Hodgkinson, of Pinfold Street, on the 5th inst., and in connection with the same case Hannah Hodgkinson was summoned for assaulting Sarah Ann Weaver, married daughter of the first-named defendant. The facts revealed that parties from the Smithfield Road and Pinfold Street had been blackberrying and met beyond Bramshall. On returning home, and when at Bramshall Bank, Hodgkinson alleged that a daughter of Mrs. Udale, said "Come on black Nan, I can do for you," and straightway set on to her. Mrs. Udale tried to separate them and struck complainant two or three times with a pewter measure—ln the case of Weaver against Hodgkinson, the latter admitted fighting but said Weaver struck her first, knocking her into the ditch.—The Bench bound both defendants over to keep the peace, and ordered each to pay Its. costs. DRUNK.—Charged with being drunk and disorderly in the town on the 7th inst., Thos. Blore, of Smithfield Road, was fined 9. with 5s. costs. BURGLARY IN PINYOLD STREET.—Arthur Salmon, a chimney sweep, of no fixed abode, was charged on remand with burglariously entering the dwelling house of John Hodgkinson, of Pinfold Street, on the 3rd instant, and stealing therefrom a pair of boots and a coat valued at 10s.—A daughter of the prosecuter deposed that the house door was left unlocked when she retired to rest. The boots were in front of the fire and the coat on the sofa.—Thos. Hodgkinson said he was passing his father's house about one o'clock the same night when he noticed a light, and saw a man in the house. The man, whom he did not recognise as the prisoner, said he wanted a bottle of herb beer. Witness ordered him out, and the man went down the street and jumped over the brook bridge.—Police-constable Crawshaw proved arresting the prisoner at Derby, where he was in custody on another charge. He had the stolen articles in his possession. Prisoner now admitted the theft, but denied that he was the man whom the witness saw in the house. The Bench committed him for trial at the sessions. 

 

MeirSoul, i found these to show you how the name of Smithfield Lane can be known by several names, you can also see how the Neilds, Bloors, Hodginksons, Udals and more familys all link up.

Uttoxeter Advertiser and Ashbourne Times -  16 September 1914

 UTTOXETER PETTY SESSIONS. Wedricsday.—Before Captain Dawson (in the chair), Colonel B. C. P. Heywood, Mr. J. Spencer, and Mr. W. S. Bagshaw.  Celebrating His Sons' Enlistment. Henry Bloor, dealer, Uttoxeter, charged with being drunk and disorderly conduct at Uttoxeter on August 31. He pleaded guilty.—P.S. Sault deposed to seeing defendant in Smithfield,road at 1.10 p.m. He was very troublesome and causing a crowd of people to assemble, and witness took the man home.—Supt. Hodkinson said defendant had sent five of his sons to the front on this date, and perhaps there was some excuse for his behaviour.—He was fined. including costs Thomas Bloor, labourer, Uttoxeter, pleaded guilty to a similar offence on September 3.—P.S. Sault stated the facts, and defendant was fined.


Uttoxeter Advertiser and Ashbourne Times -   04 January 1911

 THE VIOLENT UTTOXETER MAN. TORE A POLICEMAN'S TUNIC. Arthur Nield, labourer, Uttoxeter, was charged at Uttoxeter 'Police Court on Wednesday with being drunk and disorderly at Uttoxeter the previous evening. Prisoner pleaded not guilty. P.C. Meredith stated that at 11.30 he was on duty at the bottom of Smithfieldroad, when he had occasion to speak to Nield about his disorderly behaviour. The officer asked him to go home, and he refused. Efforts  were made to get him home, but he used very bad language to the policeman, threatening to "do him in." Witness said he would lock him up if he did not go home ' and prisoner turned and spat in his face. Witness then arrested him, and during the struggle he ripped the officers' tunic. He was so violent that witness had to obtain assistantce before he could get him to the police-station. Prisoner was locked up with much difficulty, and he continued his violent behaviour until he was put in the cell. There was no doubt that prisoner was "mad drunk," and his language was of a moat filthy description. P.C. Foster said he was present when the prisoner was brought to the station. He was very violent., and used bad language. P.S. Smedley also spoke to seeing P.C. Meredith's tunic damaged. Witness saw prisoner in the cell, and there was no doubt as to his condition. Prisoner, sworn, alleged that he was struck by the constable at the policestation. He denied being drunk or using bad language. Ernest Statham gave evidence on behalf of Nield. Prissoner was sentenced to 14 days' hard labour without the option of a fine.

Uttoxeter Advertiser and Ashbourne Times -   26 January 1910
 
DEATHS. HODGKINSON.—January 21, at Smithfield-road, Uttoxeter, John Hodgkinson, aged 68. 

 Staffordshire Sentinel - Saturday 28 November 1908

 
WOMAN'S LEAP INTO THE RIVER DOVE. On Monday afternon a woman, named Mary Nield, wife of Alfred Nield, a labourer, residing at Smithfleld-road, Uttozeter. is alleged to have jumped off the parapet of Dove Bridge, Uttoxeter. The occurrence, it is stated, was witnessed by three men named John Tidal., Henry Bond, and John Crutchley. The three men were going towards the bridge from the Derbyshire side, when they saw Mrs. Nield coming towards the bridge from the direction of Uttoxeter. When she got to the bridge, it is stated. she mounted the parapet and jumped into the water. The men ran to the spot and saw the unfortunate woman sinking. As the river was in flood, and the current very strong, and as none of them were able to swim. they were unable to render any assistance to the woman, who was carried down stream.

Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal - 21 April 1871
 
Thos. Neild, alias Bloore, was summoned for drunken and riotous conduct. —It was stated that defendant was very drunk, and used very bad language, at Uttoxeter, on the 15th April at 11 p.m. Fined. this was his first offence. 
 
 Burton Chronicle - 27 July 1893

Game trespass. George Massey, John Udall and John Bloor summoned for trespass in search of rabbits, police constable Steele saw the men with three greyhounds crossing and beating the land, fined….Mushroom gatherers in trouble—Margret Udale, Elizabeth Bloor, Mary Bloor, Hannah Hodgkinson, Sarah Ann Hague, and Thom. Smith, all of Uttoxeter, were summoned for taking mushrooms, of land in the occupation of Mr. E Brandrick, at Heasley, Abbots Bromley, on the 16th, 17th, 18th, and 19:h inst. John Neild of Uttoxeter was also charged with a simular  offence, fines were imposed.       
 
Staffordshire Advertiser - 19 March 1836

SATURDAY. (Before Mr. Baron Alderson.) Fighting at Uttoxeter. John Neal was charged with the manslaughter of John Grundy at Uttoxeter on the 17th of August last. tThe prosecution called Mary Grundy, wife of Clement Grundy, of Uttoxeter, and mother-in-law of the man whose death the prisoner was charged with having caused death by certain blows. She stated that her son-inlaw was married on the 17th of August, and the wedding was kept up at the " Feathers" public house. About half-past five o'clock, the prisoner was fighting in Mr. Wood's field with Jos. Taylor, when John Grundy, the deceased came running up, and backed Taylor; upon which Neal, the prisoner, hit Grundy a blow upon the head, and he fell. Grundy immediately got up again, and began to fight with the prisoner. Many blows were struck, and they both fell several times. At length, Neal, (the prisoner) hit Grundy a blow on the side of the ear; from the effects of which he staggered several yards, fell; and was unable to rise again. He was then carried home. He never spoke afterwards, and died in the course of the night. On her cross-examination by Mr. Greaves (counsel for the prisoner) the witness stated that she had known the prisoner between 16 and 17 years: they were on friendly terms with each other, and she never knew them to have a quarrel. On the occasion in question, all the parties were drunk ; there had been a deal drinking. The prisoner was very much distressed after the occurrence. , . . , Mr. Richard Lassetter, surgeon, attended the deceased about half-past ten o'clock on night ofthe 17th of August. He was in a state of insensibility. Witness remained with him until he died, at about half-past two o'clock in the morning. Witness opened the body afterwards ; and examined the head more particularly. There was a considerable quantity extravasated blood on the right side of the head ; and discoloration all round, which attributed partly to the effects of the injuries received and partly to the struggles. He died from ruptured blood vessel. Witness believed the rupture of the vessel was caused by blows or falls coming upon an intoxicated brain. Intoxication alone would not have produced that effect. Cross-examined by Mr. Greaves.—The exertion of fighting might produce apoplexy, in a person in drunken state. There were no external marks to account for the ruptured blood vessel. Death might have occasioned by concussions from falls. Mr. Baron Alderson.—Gentlemen of the Jury, you must acquit the prisoner. Verdict, not guilty. His Lordship then admonished the prisoner, and said he had seen what were the effects of drunkenness. He advised him to take care in the future, least a worse thing should happen to him.

Lichfield Mercury - 15 February 1935
 
RUGELEY PETTY SESSIONS.   

NO NAME. Alfred Thomas Neald, dealer, of Stafford Road, Stafford, was ordered to pay 4s. costs for permitting his pony and trap to be used for trade purposes without having his name and address on the vehicle. P.s. Lawrence said an employee of defendant's was driving the cart into the Rugeley Smithfield. When charged defendant said he thought there was no necessity for his name to upon it, as it was to be sold at the sale.

 Wolverhampton Chronicle and Staffordshire Advertiser - 26 August 1835

 Fatal Fight.—On the 19th instant, an inquest was held at Uttoxeter, on John Grundy, whose death was attended with very lamentable circumstances. Monday morning he was married, and the wedding, with another which took place at the same time, was kept during the day at different public houses. In the evening several battles were fought in Smithy Lane and in a field near, and amongst others Grundy and a man named John Neald fought a considerable time, both being intoxicated; Grundy was carried off the ground insensible, and died in the course of the night. The Jury returned a verdict of manslaughter against John Neald, who was committed for trial at the next assizes.

 I put the story on about Alfred Neald from the 1930s to highlite the timescale, going into the 1900s it may be that certain people with the same name do not connect, i find as much as i can and then read through the story's, by doing this you may cross reference the content, sometimes then the story's link up not through two story's but several that each on their own are singular in content and could be overlooked, when several story's are combined a bigger picture starts to emerge.
 
 
 
 

 
MeirSoul, i have been researching your relatives and all the peoples they connect to, respect to them all and you to

https://archive.org/details/historyantiquiti00redf

HISTORY AND ANTIQUITIES of the TOWN AND NEIGHBOURHOOD  of UTTOXETER, WITH NOTICES OF ADJOINING PLACES, FRANCIS REDFERN. SECOND EDITION . 1886

Page 144

It should not be passed over, that in 1647.  46 Egyptians doubtless gypsies with a pass from parliament to travel for a space of six successive months for relief, arrived at Uttoxeter, and were given the sum of 4s. Their number and appearance must of exited considerable interest. Grants to Egyptians, or gypsies, for permission to travel and receive relief are mentioned in one of the volumes of the public record office for either 1858 or 1859,. The Constables account for Checkly for the year 1666 mentions a disbursement to a great company of gypsies.


https://cdn.staffordshire.gov.uk/pasttrack/files/55/56/869.pdf

Everything in these posts now and to come are ony small extracts, research the fuller articles in the places that i give for a far more wider in depth truer picture.

FOREWORD

One Summer's evening in 1995 I was visiting the late Colin Deaville at his home in Uttoxeter to put the finishing touches to his story for my book The Road To Chartley. While I was there Colin’s wife, Mary, introduced me to, Gwyneth Mellor, a friend who happened to be visiting. When I explained to her that I was collecting people's memories Gwyneth told me that her father Ernest Mellor, a wellknown chemist in Uttoxeter from 1910  to the 1960s, had written down his memories of Uttoxeter from the late 1800s into the 1900s. He had entrusted his notebook to a friend and colleague Arthur Finníkin for safekeeping but Miss Mellor told me she had her own copy which she said I could borrow. A few days later a photocopy of Ernest Mellor’s memories of Uttoxeter was waiting for me. When I read the memories I was amazed to find a fascinating account of life in Uttoxeter about ninety years ago. It must have been fate that brought me to visit Colin and Mary Deaville on the same night as Miss Mellor. Her father's memories might so easily have been lost. Ernest Mellor’s memories were written in the late 1950s and in them he takes us back to his schooldays in Uttoxeter in the 1880s……………….   Jim Foley Summer 2002 


page 12

At our school we had not got a yard or playground and we had to play where we could, utilizing the narrow footway that passed the school to the hall for marbles and rougher games. We had to make our own fun and we got plenty of that. For one thing the roads were not so busy. We used regularly to play 'Ringy' - marbles - in the street opposite the Wesleyan Chapel. We had to keep our eyes open - not for the Police, but for the 'Smugglers', generally two or three hefty Smithy Lads from the nearby Smithy Lane. They had their code of conduct. They never burst in without first crying "Smuggles" - then we each tried to grab what marbles we could. If we were lucky we might get more than two (our "dubs") and these would go to our less fortunate companions…………… 

Page 17

The Horse and Foal Fairs held in Balance were a real bit of Old England. Balance Street on fair days might have been a scene out of it Lavengro. It would take the pen of a George Borrow to do justice to it. There were the horses, with sellers and buyers crying the merits or demerits of the animals - then a groom or stable boy or just a hanger-on would take the halter and rush down the street to show off the paces, the action and the fire of the animal, which often pranced and kicked under the stimulus of stick or whip. Flying hooves and noise marked the day. There were always a few gypsies with their worn-out old crocks doctored to look to the unwary as quite serviceable animals. Those gypsíes were by no means lacking in vocal powers. They could almost persuade you that black was white. The mares and foals were always a delight, particularly the foals and colts………………….

Page 18

Black Bess was noted simply for herself. She was a perfect type of the old Gypsy clan - a strong old lined face that must have had an extraordinary wild beauty in her younger year's.

 Hull Daily Mail -   27 July 1907

"BLACK BESS" OF UTTOXETER DEAD.

CENTENARIAN GIPSY QUEEN. There has just died in Smithfield-road, an old lady, who for many years past has been a female with striking - features of that town, and for miles round. Her name was Elizabeth Lowell, but she was better known by the name of  " Black Bess" and " Granny Blore." Her age is given at 100 years, but it is stated those by those who had intimate acquaintance with her, that she passed- the century three years since at least. She came to Uttoxeter 80 years ago, when she was a remarkably fine specimen of the gipsy tribe, to which she claimed to belong, and was regarded as the queen in the little Romany community with whom she lived, and among whom she exercised undoubted sway. She was then tall and muscular looking, with jet black hair and flashing eyes of the same colour, and a deep brown or bronzed complexion. Latterly she traded as a vendor of brooms, oilcloth, and such-like articles, which were carried in a waggon, behind which she would' walk for several miles. She was the oldest of a family of 16.