Extracts from the Diaries of Annie Parker Greenwood, eldest daughter of Elizabeth Greenwood, Innkeeper of the Mason’s Arms.
Over the past few Christmas’s I have posted extracts from Annie’s diaries in the 1870’s. This year I have chosen Christmas 1880 when Annie was 25 and still unmarried. It is also a time when the building of Upper Barden Reservoir was in full swing and when many navvies, who she mentions by name, came down to the Mason’s Arms. These included foreman George Dinsdale from Hawes, who, unknown to Annie at this time, she would marry at Embsay Church in July 1881.
19th December Sunday
Snow covers the ground & a very hard frost. Richard [her brother] & I attended Morning Service. We had a good Sermon, Mr Kidd [Rev John T D Kidd, Vicar of Embsay] told us to take up our Master’s Cross with thankfulness & not to grieve over small afflictions as we never could have every comfort of this world, if we had, we should never think of the great hereafter.
20th December Monday
Fine frosty day. Tom Girling, Wm & Joe Harragan, Jack, Banker, Darkie & a good few down from the Moor in afternoon. They were lively, playing a Concertina etc. The Traction Engine here to bring up the “Steam Navvy.” Mr Smith (Civil Engineer) called, very chatty. It took several days for the Traction Engine to tow the Steam Navvy from Skipton Station to the Barden Moor railway at Black Hill.
21st December 1880 Tuesday
Fine frosty day. Trade awful quiet, nothing at all doing. I had a short chat with our “Worthy Vicar”. George Dinsdale & Archer here in the evening, along with Clark, Tom Mann, W & J Harragan, & Berwick. Dr Jackson called, spoke about our Piano, etc. [Dr Wm Jackson of Skipton, who visited the navvies on Barden Moor most days].
22nd December Wednesday
Awful rough, thawing & snowing all the day. Richard took us down to Skipton in the Trap. I received my Music Lesson & had a good chat with Mr Smith. [Joseph Turner Smith, ‘Teacher of Music & Pianoforte’ of 14 High Street]. Then I went up & had a cosy chat with Mrs & Miss Sugden [mother & sister of Birkett Sugden, Master Bread Baker of Mill Bridge]. They told me of life in America & gave me a pretty pattern for an “Ice Shawl”. I did a little shopping besides, then Dick called for me & drove us home, it was wild. Well now I will conclude for this evening, my headaches with being out in the wild weather.
23rd December Thursday
Fine but thawing all day. Had a beautiful “Xmas Card” from R Sothern [Bob Sothern, former Engine Driver on Barden Moor]. Richard went down to Skipton Station for “Sally” Bowness [their former servant], we were very glad to see her, but she does look ill. She said it felt so nice to be back at the “Mason’s Arms”, it was home.
24th December Friday – Christmas Eve
Dull, all the snow departed. Sally busy knitting & chatting away. Mr Smith (Civil Engineer) called, I gave him a “Mince Tart” for Mrs Smith. Mr Malcolm (Engineer) called going to Balfour nr Glasgow for Xmas. Uncle William [Wm Parker of The Heugh] called to taste Mamma’s “French Loaf”. John Breare brought us over a splendid “Goose”, & told us his intention of Emigrating. George Dinsdale called looking so well, going to Wensleydale for Xmas. A lot came down to celebrate the “Christmas Eve”. Spiddox, Whalley, Ginger, Ormonby. Hird was playing the “Violin” & Sally singing very nicely, Berwick playing Concertina, & Calvert, etc., Dancing. We had a very lively evening. Tom Mann [their lodger] & I discussed the different characters. So here ends another Christmas Eve in my life.
25th December Saturday – Christmas Day
Beautiful, frosty & all covered with snow. A few children about singing “Christmas Songs”. I had a very nice “Christmas Card” from Miss W. Wm Thornton (the Old George) [on Skipton High Street] drove up a party of Skiptonians, & some of them walked up. They were very agreeable & soon departed. Turpin Chippindale [Landlord of the Elm Tree] & young Jackson from Sawley Grange on here in the evening. Turpin advised me about getting wed, and proposed for Mr Jackson (but na na, it willna do). [William Threlfall Jackson of Sawley Grange was 2 years older than Annie.] My dear little Polly [12 year old step daughter of Turpin Chippindale] came on in afternoon to see me, she had tea & was so loving. Tom [Annie’s 12 year old brother] was glad to see her but he is so shy, bless him.
26th December Sunday
Grand frosty day. Ada went out early onto the Moor to see her Mother. [Ada was their house servant and her family lived in one of the navvy huts at Black Hill]. Sally assisted Sarah [Annie’s sister], and Mamma, Richard & I attended Morning Service. We had a splendid Sermon, our Vicar was eloquent, I think I never missed a word. I had to take Mamma’s arm returning.
27th December Monday
Cold dull day, snowing in evening. Wm & James Edington & their three sisters from Bradford [all formerly of Embsay] called this morning & again in afternoon. The Edington’s sung & played beautiful, we had quite a Concert which I enjoyed very much. Mr Brown called, described the Children’s Concert at Barden Moor, talked of Miss Biggs & her weakness. [Miss Annie Biggs was the schoolteacher at the huts on Barden Moor. Whatever her weakness was, she went on to marry Robert Holgate Brown of Holme House, Barden in 1885.]
28th December Tuesday
Thawing, raining & very miserable all day. We had a good lot down from the Moor. Dr Jackson called in. A full Tap all day. The “Embsay Brass Band” came on & played us a good lot of tunes. George Williams, Dr Robinson, Winfield, Taylor etc all singing & evidently enjoying the day. Sally very agreeable, singing about all day. George Dinsdale came back from Hawes & brought me a beautiful white silk handkerchief. He gave me all the Hawes news, etc., & stayed comfortably chatting a good bit, then left & it was pouring down.
29th December Wednesday
Awful wild stormy day, the rain came down in torrents. It flooded the house in all directions. Dr Jackson called, gave me Skipton news. Mr Smith (Civil Engineer) called, he was wet through. Also the “Traction Engine” party were soaking wet; but Gibb’s & Riach came down, anxious to get there “Kilmarnock Navvy” to its destination. [John Hume Smith, Easton Gibb, and Peter Riach, all Scotsmen and senior engineers at Barden Reservoir]. Tom Mann & I busy all day keeping good fires & getting the water out of the house. I have got a severe cold & tickling cough, so “Bon Soir”, dear old Diary.
David Turner, Embsay with Eastby Historical Research Group
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