The Cole Family of Great Linford Bakery

Newman Thomas Cole (1855-1937)

The following text is reproduced from a charming little 16 page memoir written by Newman Thomas Cole. Newman was born in Great Linford in 1855 and lived in the village for approximately the first decade of his life. His father William (1828-1903) was a baker by trade, as had his father been before him, and it seems that after his marriage in 1852, William had moved his family to Great Linford in order to strike out on his own. As Newman states in his memoir, the Coles came to Great Linford "a few years" after the marriage of his parents, which we know occurred on June 3rd, 1852. Their first child, a daughter named Sarah, was born at Newport Pagnell in 1853, and their second child Newman, at Great Linford in 1855. Newman was one of 9 children born to the couple, almost all of whom survived to adulthood, except for a brother named Arthur, who sadly passed away as a toddler in May of 1868. The previous November the family had moved away from Great Linford, returning to Newport Pagnell, where William took over his late father's business. The bakehouse and its associated dwelling house in Great Linford were then offered for rent in May of 1868 by its owner, a builder and prominent resident of Great Linford named William Rivett. It seems highly likely that it was William Rivett that had built the bakehouse and its dwelling on the High Street, as part of the terrace now known as Forge End Row. There is still a house on the row named The Old Bakery.

In the fulness of time, Newman also became a Baker and just as his father had, established his own business, marrying a Harriet Miller and raising together 3 children in Newport Pagnell. Though he did not live in Great Linford for much more than a decade, his recollections of the village, and his later life in and around Newport Pagnell paint a vivid picture of rural life that is entirely worthy of being reproduced in full below.

Where applicable and useful to the reader, I have added some additional notes and observations.

"I remember" by Newman Thomas Cole

A few years after his marriage, my father, William Cole, removed from his native town of Newport Pagnell to Great Linford where he commenced a bakery business on his account. It was while resident in the village that I made my appearance into this world on May 23, 1855. A few weeks later I was baptised in St Andrew’s Church by the Rev. John Webb, curate in charge of the parish, who deputised for the Rector who lived at Farthinghoe, Northants, where he was also vicar.

Editor's note: William Cole was for a number of years the village constable for Great Linford, an unpaid position with responsibility for maintaining law and order in the parish. Read more about William's job as a parish constable.

When I was four years old I contracted a serious illness from which Dr. Daniel, the family doctor, expressed the fear that I should not recover. But as events proved I lived to give the lie to the statement.

Editor’s note: This would have been Doctor Edward Daniell, who practiced from the High Street in Newport Pagnell. Great Linford had no resident doctor at the time, and perhaps had not had one since the days of the The Reverend Richard Napier (1559-1634). Newman was lucky that his parents had the resources to call in a doctor, and perhaps that he is described as “the family doctor” indicates that the family were relatively well enough off to have retained his services.

I was not many years old when my father arranged for me to attend the village boys' school which was held in a largish house of a block of cottages nearby the church in the grounds of the Manor House. There was a school for girls in the village and here they were taught the art of lace-making.

Editor’s note: The school was located in the centre of the Almshouse complex in the manor park grounds and still stands to this day. For a fuller account of the history of Great Linford’s charity school, click here. The lace-making school was next door to the bakery, at what is now number 27 on the High Street.

The boys' school was eventually used as the headmaster's residence in later years when the new schools were built. My school-master was Mr. William Burn, who had previously conducted a similar establishment in Newport Pagnell. When I started under him Mr. Burn was an elderly man and he received the magnificent sum of £20 per-annum in salary. In addition he was entitled to retain the twopence a week paid by the scholars, but as there were only about six of us he did not add very much to his income.

Like all boys we did not agree with being taught and, as there was no compulsion in attending, I am afraid we played truant very frequently.

The Almshouses with school in the centre - illustration from Newman Thomas Cole's biography.

Among the friends I possessed at this time was George Wilson Burn, the grandson of the schoolmaster, who used to spend his holidays in Great Linford. We had many exciting times together for he was always ready for mischief and was the leader of our boyish pranks. Nearly seventy years later I met my old friend again when he called upon me in Newport Pagnell and we had a most enjoyable chat over the old times. He informed me that he had studied medicine, qualifying and practising as a doctor, but was then retired. He recounted some of his experiences to me, one of which dealing with his student days, is worth recording. I quote his own words.

"My first attempt at tooth extraction was more than sixty years ago. In the hospital to which I was attached the house surgeon and his dressers interviewed patients from 9 to 10 a.m. in the surgery. After that time he visited the wards leaving one dresser on duty in case of any late patients. The first time I was left in charge a powerful looking man arrived who said he was a blacksmith and wanted a tooth removing. Now if the lower jaw is depressed to its fullest extent it does not take much force to depress it still further and make a dislocation. This point was always strongly stressed when instructing the budding dentist. There was, in fact, at this time a patient in the hospital who had dis-, located his jaw through yawning while waiting for a procession to pass during some public rejoicings. To return to my story, I selected the right instrument, told the man to open his mouth, and gripped the doomed tooth. Then I started to exert pressure in the various directions laid down. Although I put forth all my strength I could not make any impression on the tooth and was soon forced to take a rest. As I did so I noticed to my horror that after removing the forceps from the patient's mouth his jaw remained depressed. I took hold of it in the correct manner and tried my hardest to close it, but with no result. I tried again but still nothing happened, and then, feeling worried, I sent for the house surgeon. During the interval of waiting I made several more attempts, but the jaw remained fixed. At last in desperation I said, "Can't you shut your mouth ?" The patient replied, Yes, but you told me to keep it open." The man's muscular power was so great as to overcome my full pressure. When the surgeon arrived he could not remove the tooth and the man was sent into the hospital and I saw no more of him."

Mr. Burn and I talked of our boyhood days for a long time and we recalled a Sunday morning in March 1865 when we both attended a service in Great Linford Church and a portion of the stone flooring gave way in the north aisle where the schoolchildren were sitting. No one was injured as some matting saved the forms from falling in. It was afterwards discovered to be the entrance to a large burial vault, about ten feet high, which contained the remains of several of the Uthwatt and Prichard families. At the foot of the coffin of Sir William Prichard was the one of his son standing in an upright position. He must have been quite a boy when he died for the coffin was small. There was also another tiny coffin resting on the top of Sir William's.

Editor’s Note: This alarming event certainly made a splash at the time, and was reported in the local newspaper Croydon’s Weekly Standard as having occurred on Sunday March 12th. The curious recollection that the coffin of William Pritchard’s son was standing upright before that of his father’s does have a story attached to it. Such was the veneration he held for his father, that he wished to be buried at his feet, hence the upright posture of the coffin. However, like many tales that are passed along, this one seems suspect, as William Pritchard’s son died aged 16 in 1685, so predeceasing his father who had died in 1705.

Of my boyhood days I recall an amusing incident which occurred one Sunday morning at the entrance gate to the Manor where some of us lads were standing. The Rector, the Rev. Francis Litchfield, was paying one of his periodical visits to the village to see that his curate was carrying out his duties in a proper manner. As he passed through the gate on his way to the church we all, with one exception, saluted him as our schoolmaster had taught us. The reverend gentleman made his acknowledgment and then turned to the lad who had ignored him saying "Boy, don't you know who I am ?" "Yes," was the reply, "you're old Litchfield!"

The Squire of Linford at this time was the Rev. William Andrewes Uthwatt who was rector of Maids Moreton, where he, of course, resided, leaving a steward and housekeeper at Linford. They were Mr. John Crisp and Mrs. Valentine, both of whom I retain many memories of kindnesses extended to me as a lad by the worthy couple.

Editor’s Note: John Crisp was born in Creaton, Northamptonshire in 1801. He is listed on census records as a domestic gardener at Great Linford, but on the marriage record of his son Arthur, he was named as a Bailiff, which is certainly in keeping with Newman's description of him as a steward. Elizabeth Valentine, born 1821 in Risley in Bedfordshire, was for a long time in the employ of John Crisp as his servant. In the 1861 census both reside at Linford House, where she is described as a housekeeper.

I spent as much of my boyhood in Newport Pagnell as I did in Linford. I used to stay weeks at a time with my grandfather who lived in Abbey End now Priory Street. My maternal grandmother kept what was then "The Jolly Gardeners" now "The Beehive" which was nearly opposite the bakehouse of my grandfather. There was a large open ditch in front of "The Jolly Gardeners" in which my grandfather's pigs, and other people's too, used to thrive on the refuse which the inhabitants deposited in it. There was no refuse collection in those days.

I was always assured of a hearty welcome in either house and I spent some very happy times with these relatives. Grandfather Cole was a big and powerful man. I have seen him lift two twenty-stone sacks of flour together—one under each arm. He was an old yeoman and acted as Parish Constable, being often required to preserve the law. In those times the town was governed by Constables and other officers who were appointed annually at a Manorial Court.

In his trade as a baker my grandfather used to start his out-of-town deliveries of bread as the curfew tolled at eight o'clock in the evening, and I loved accompanying him in his old tilt-cart. It is interesting to mention here that the same bell was in those days rung at 5 o'clock in the mornings with the object of calling the labourers to their work. There was no compulsory lighting of vehicles then and on very dark nights we used to tie an antiquated horn lantern on the forepart of the cart. Roads were bad and mostly gated. My grandfather invariably took his fiddle with him on these journeys and when he had served all his customers he would stay with friends in the various villages and have a musical evening. Many a time I have sat in the cart outside "The Old Swan," Woughton-on-the-Green, and heard the church clock opposite strike the hours of eleven, midnight and one, whilst the music and singing have continued inside the hostel. We eventually reached home between two and three in the morning.

Editor’s note: Though pertaining to its ringing in Newport Pagnell, the reference to a “curfew bell” is an interesting one and worth remarking on, as it may well have also rung in Great Linford. This tradition still apparently persists to this very day for purely ceremonial reasons in a few places, but can be traced back to medieval times, when it was originally a signal that the day was coming to a close and that fires should be deadened down so as to prevent accidental conflagrations. By Newman's time, the curfew bell had long since lost its original meaning, but it is fascinating and evocative to imagine the sound of these bells ringing out across the countryside.

Nowadays we hear little of the Village Feasts, but in my younger years they were occasions for much merriment. I often visited them with my grandfather and uncles who provided the music for the dancing. Trinity Feast at Woolstone was a long-looked-forward-to event and we spent many good times there. I first visited this feast before I was ten years old and when I went on the Monday after my 82nd birthday, I thought what a change had taken place during seventy odd years!

My grandfather in addition to being a fair musician was some-thing of a scholar, and on Sunday evenings he would invite a few of his cronies to his home, provide them with liquid refreshment, and then read aloud portions of the Scripture. I often heard old D____ P____ and D____ N____ say "Beautiful, James, we'll have some more." Whether they referred to his reading or the beer I was never quite certain.

Editor's note: The rather curious censorship of names in the above passage was Newman's doing. Why is a mystery.

I heard many interesting stories of old Newport and district from my grandfather who knew nearly everybody and was always one of the first to learn of some untoward happening. He often spoke of the time before the Iron Bridge in St. John Street, and the North Bridges on the Northampton Road were built, and the difficulties encountered by vehicular traffic in fording the Rivers Lovat and Ouse, especially when they were in flood. With the poor drainage then in existence the town was frequently inundated with deep water and must have been most uncomfortable for the people in certain parts. He told me of the time when Newport was supplied by water from the Ouse by means of an hydraulic pump worked by the river. This must have been situated near to the mill, but I never found out definitely. Many years later the old wooden pipes presumably used for conveying this supply were un-earthed during excavations and I have been to see them in the county museum at Aylesbury. He also mentioned when the town was first lighted with gas in the year 1837.

Another thing my grandfather told me was that as a child he attended a lace-making school in Abbey End. Newport at this time was the centre of the Bucks lace-making industry which provided a source of income which young and old could pursue. Another pupil of the school with him was the first Mr. Joseph Salmons, founder of the firm which nowadays is so famous for its "Tickford" sunshine bodies for motor cars.

I knew personally Mr. Salmons who constructed for us a baker's cart which is still in my possession. It is over 8o years old and in good order. I have known five generations of the Salmons family. In 1836, some years before my birth, an Act of Parliament was passed making it compulsory for bakers to carry weights and scales in their carts when delivering. Grandfather said that they were often chaffed about this by the various customers. One day when delivering his usual order of bread to Mr. William Whitworth, a well-known farmer and magistrate who resided at Willen, this gentleman approached my grandfather and asked him if he had his scales with him. " Yes," was the reply," and a good sharp knife too." "Why the knife," queried the farmer. "To cut all the overweight off with" my grandfather quickly answered. Mr. Whitworth was so amused at this repartee that he ex-tended an invitation to partake of a "drop of home brewed."

Bread in those days was principally made up into peck loaves weighing 17 ½ lbs. and were kneaded to a square shape. The first cottage loaves made by my grandfather were for Lord Carrington who lived at Gayhurst House, and, as the roads were so rough, when making deliveries he used to tie the tops on with string. It is interesting to note that the family of Cole still have the privilege of supplying bread to this house, establishing a connection of more than a century. Sir Walter Carlile, Bart., D.L., J.P., is the owner of the estate in these days.

For a considerable time after the Crimean War times were bad and prices high. The agricultural worker's bread bill was often greater than his wages. Bread cost 1/1 ½ - per 41b and in most cases was the principal food of the family. A system of relief was in vogue. We used to follow the Relieving Officer (then Mr. Thomas Chew, of Great Brickhill) on his rounds and leave bread on his order according to the size of the family, charging the cost to the Guardians.

Editor’s note: The Board of Guardians were comprised of persons who were usually elected to their position, and the role they fulfilled was a precursor to the benefits system we have today, though considerably harsher. Amongst other things, the Guardians had responsible for the workhouses, as well as making payments to paupers and pursuing maintenance payments from those who had absconded from their family responsibilities. We see in various newspaper accounts that Newman's father won the contract on more than one occasion to supply bread to the needy of Great Linford, at a cost for instance of 4 1/2d in 1863.

Mr. Chew was a nice gentleman and I remember going with my father to his house at Brickhill one day. Dinner was served and, as was the usual practice, grace was said. I was invited on this occasion to give thanks and Mrs. Chew was delighted with my effort remarking "You are a good little boy" at the same time giving me half-a-crown. I was immensely pleased and did not fail to say the grace at the conclusion of the meal.

Flour cost the baker in those years about £3 a sack and was very scarce (the usual price was roughly £1 a sack). Mr. Charles Eve was the miller at Newport Pagnell and one day my father placed an order for twenty sacks. Mr. Eve was astounded. "I daren't send it William. You would never be able to pay for it. Why it would cost you £6o," he said. My father did not answer but got into his cart, drove home, and returned with sixty golden sovereigns. The flour, needless to say, was quickly delivered to the bakehouse.

Bread-making methods in those days were considerably different from these times. There was no machinery to lighten the task of the baker. Everything was done by hand and the work hard and hours long. There was no such thing as compressed yeast, we had to prepare our own mixture. This was composed of barm, which was the by-product of home-brewed beer. We used to collect this at various times from local brewers and farmers, and mix it with the liquor squeezed from boiled potatoes which made a "ferment." This had to be done every evening, followed by the making of a soft dough into which the "ferment" was worked, the completed product being termed the "setting sponge." In the early morning the mixture was then made into dough by adding flour and other ingredients, and was kneaded to a very stiff compound. After "proving," the dough was scaled, moulded to shape and then "set-in" the oven, where it was baked for about ¾ hour. "Drawing" followed and then deliveries commenced. Working days of 14, 18 and 20 hours were common, but still we found time for simple amusements. Nowadays with the institution of machinery most of the hard labour has been eliminated, and hours shortened.

Editor’s note: The Bakehouse on Great Linford High Street was up for sale in 1881, which provides the following description – "There is a coal oven attached to the bakehouse, with a dough trough and other trade fixtures, and a meal chamber above." The dough trough was the large receptacle in which the dough was mixed, kneaded and left to prove. As Newman alludes, the work was hard – imagine kneading dough in a trough.

Our flour was milled at the small country wind and water mills which were then in a thriving and prosperous condition.

The "barm" mentioned above was purchased from the breweries of Messrs. Rogers & Co., Wilmer & Son, Newport Pagnell. Also generous supplies being obtained frequently from Mr. Robert Battams of Snelson, Lavendon, a farmer who brewed large quantities of good ale in his day.

One well-known personality about this time was "Brewer Brown" who earned his livelihood by visiting farmers and the large country houses wishing to produce their own beer. He had charge of the operations and made many gallons of ale which were a delight to drink. With the laws of today, these travelling brewers are lost to the countryside.

The year 1868 was notorious for its exceedingly hot summer which made conditions in the bakehouse very bad. We could not work in the daytime owing to the intense heat, so the bread was made in the early morning and delivered in the evening. Long before August the ground was parched and bare. There was no keep for the cattle which were fed on the branches of trees. My father bought a field of growing wheat at Great Linford which he harvested, then milled at Woolstone, and made up the flour obtained into bread during July. I never heard of this happening at any other time.

Editor's note: Though by no means certain, this recollection of life in a bakehouse may refer to Great Linford. Newman makes reference to the wheat grown at Great Linford been milled in July of 1868; the bakehouse was advertised for rent in May of 1868 and we know the family were back in Newport Pagnell by October of that year, as Newman's youngest sibling was born there that month. So possibly the terribly hot summer endured by the family was their last at Great Linford.

The following year was just the extreme—some of the corn was still in the fields at Christmas.

Then there was the very sharp winter of 1861 when fourteen weeks of severe frost was endured. Many barges were frozen in the canal at Great Linford, for this long spell, and their owners and horses were unable to leave the district. A number of horses were stabled at the "Black Horse," Inn of which my Uncle Warren was the landlord. The enforced idleness created great distress amongst the bargees many of whom were compelled to mortgage their boats to obtain food for themselves and their horses. The great snowstorm of January 18, 1881, was the worst in living memory. The following day we had to deliver bread in Little Linford and Haversham and the conditions were terrible. We started off with two horses harnessed to the cart, but discovered it was impossible to get up Linford Lane which was covered with deep snow drifts. We delivered to "The Walnuts" (then in the occupation of Uncle Litchfield) and then had to drive across the fields to the bridges at the lower end of the lane, where by digging the snow from the gates we eventually reached Little Linford and then made our way to Haversham. We got as far as Hill Farm and then found the road impassible (sic), so we stabled the horses at Mr. Scott's and carried the bread through his fields to the village.

Editor's note: Uncle Warren was William Warren (1819 - 1882) who had been born at Great Linford and married Charlotte Meadows (1828 - 1906). Charlotte was the sister of Kerenhappuch Meadows, who was Newman's mother.

On another occasion, in 1869, we were returning home via Haversham Mill and had to go through a very deep flood. Our horse being used to the road, carried us through safely, but a few minutes later a man named Walker attempted the same thing but, as was afterwards surmised, his horse left the track and both man and animal were drowned.

We had a further adventure in Linford Lane when we saw a horse and its rider in a ditch with the man pinned underneath the animal. With some difficulty we managed to extricate them and discovered that the rider was Police Constable Pitson. It is certain that if we had not appeared on the scene when we did the unfortunate fellow would have been crushed to death. As it was he lived to attain the rank of Deputy Chief Constable for Buckinghamshire.

I remember many of the prominent people in the villages in the district. There was the Rev. Arthur Bruce Frazer who was rector of Haversham. He kept up a good establishment even stocking with deer a small park adjoining his house. He died in 1889. Then, too, there was Mr. Matthew Knapp and his brother who resided at Little Linford Hall. The vicarage was built through their generosity, the first resident minister being the Rev. Moses Margoliouth who was inducted in 1877. He was a very learned man and a great Hebrew scholar. When he died in 1881 he was buried near the Chancel.

I knew the Rev. C. P. Cotter, the first vicar of New Bradwell and remember nearly all the houses in the parish being built. For some years we delivered bread at New Bradwell until a bakehouse was opened in the town.

Another well-known personality was the Rev. John Benthall who succeeded the Rev. George Phillimore at Willen a village associated with some of my earliest recollections. Mr. Benthall died in 1888. In the same village I knew Mr. Thomas Abbott who was born in 1776 and who was appointed the Parish Clerk in 1822, a position he held for forty years. He was followed in the same office by his son, Robert, who continued the work until his death in 1899. It will thus be seen that father and son totalled nearly eighty years in this office. The Goodman family of this village was one with which our firm had long associations.

At Woolstone lived Mr. William Smith, a noted agriculturist, who was rather eccentric in his ways. He always wore a shawl when walking round the village. Mr. Smith lived in a farmhouse near to the Mill and, until he built the present Rectory at Great Woolstone, the minister resided in a house on the opposite side of the road in Mill Lane. When Joseph Arch, a great trade unionist, visited the district in 1877, Mr. Smith was much disturbed, and because his workers joined Arch's union he curtailed a lot of his farming activities.

Agriculture in my early days was a flourishing and prosperous industry. Large areas of land were under cultivation and little grass was to be seen. Staffs were of considerable numbers and they were needed to look after the huge undertakings then planned by the farmers. I have seen as many as thirty-three teams of horses at work on one farm alone. Breeding was on a large scale and the animals produced of enormous size.

I have often thought how many of the old family names so prevalent in my younger days have disappeared. I remember when a Pinfold lived at Walton; Squire Duncan at Bradwell; Mr. St. Quinton at Lathbury (a village where Canon Bull was rector for over fifty years); Squire Praed at Tyringham; the Rev. Walter Drake at Moulsoe. All these names are of the past.

The three Members of Parliament for Buckinghamshire I first recollect were the Hon. Cavendish, Mr. Du Pre and the Rt. Hon. B. Disraeli. I had the privilege of listening to the latter when he addressed a meeting from "The Swan" Hotel, Newport Pagnell. I was greatly honoured when I was afforded the opportunity of visiting the home and last resting place of the immortal "Dizzy." I am glad that I have lived to see our new Member, Major Whiteley, take his seat in the House.

When on my visits to Newport I always attended Sunday School where my teacher was Mr. J. R. Wilmer. I often, too, used to go to Church and remember how we sat on forms placed in the Chancel and down the middle of the Nave. The organ, in charge of Mr. Robert Pringle, was then situated in a gallery in the west tower. Here, too, the mixed choir used to sit with the bell-ringers in a room above them. It was not until 1867 that Mr. Cooch and his sister presented the organ now in use, and a special chamber was built for it in the Chancel.

The familiar chimes of our Parish Church are not the ones I first heard. These, like the present set, got out of order but were not repaired so quickly, remaining silent for many years. It was to commemorate the 1887 Jubilee that they were attended to and additions made and the tunes now played incorporated.

The first Vicar I remember was the Rev. George Morley. He always preached in a black gown, and no change was made in the church or services until after his death in 1865. Mr. Morley was a keen horseman and I can picture him now as he used to be when astride the saddle.

When the Rev. Morley died his successor was the Rev. H. H. Birley who remained just a year and then accepted the living of Cranfield. In 1866 the Rev. A. L. C. Heigham was inducted vicar, and he quickly made changes in the church. A robed choir made its appearance in the Chancel, the organ was moved and numerous other alterations brought about. Mr. Heigham also contemplated removing the galleries, but it was not until the Rev. L. Moxon's incumbency that this work was actually done.

One of the assistant priests was the Rev. Merton Smith who prepared me for confirmation in 1869. He was a nice gentleman and I was sorry to learn many years later from the Rev. Heigham when he visited Newport, that he had been lost in the Alps whilst on holiday. Some bones were found at a later date and were identified as the Rev. Smith's remains because of the gold-frame spectacles discovered among them. Spectacles of this type were very uncommon in those days.

The other curate was the Rev. C. T. Boyd who married a daughter of Mr. William Powell, the owner of Tykeford Abbey. This gentleman later built "Westbury" where he went to live. It was while he was in residence at "The Abbey” that Mr. Powell lost one of his sons. In October 1870 Capt. Powell and his brother went shooting in The Abbey grounds and were caught in a violent thunderstorm, the former gentleman being struck by lightning and killed instantly. His brother escaped uninjured and lived for many years carrying on the practice of a lawyer.

A great-grandson of Mr. William Powell, the Rev. E. Powell, came to Newport with the Rev. H. Adeane Byard with whom he worked as assistant priest. He and I had many interesting discussions on old Newport and its people.

When the Rev. Heigham left the town in 1875 he was succeeded by the Rev. C. M. Ottley who had been a curate at Aylesbury.

Up to the time of this incumbency the vicars had always lived in the Master of the Hospital's house in St. John Street and where the present vicarage is was a school. The change-over was made when the Rev. Ottley came to the town. In 1904 Mr. F. B. Gunnery had charge of the Parish and in 1922 the Rev. L. Moxon succeeded. Eleven years later the Rev. H. A. Byard followed, and he is still with us. When I met the Rev. Byard he was surprised to learn that I had personally known seven vicars of Newport Pagnell.

I don't suppose many people remember when Edward Joyce was the Parish Clerk and how he used to sit at a desk under the pulpit, or when Mr. J. F. Bailey, a tailor in the town, and Mr. John Odell, sen., started their churchwardenship. These two gentlemen were the first ones I remember who filled the offices, and I was pleased to see Mr. Odell's son follow in his father's footsteps. Between them they completed fifty years as churchwardens. A very worthy record.

Although I was always interested in church matters I never accepted any office, so it was a source of gratification to me when my son was appointed Vicar's Warden by the Rev. Moxon.

Church-going in my early days was more popular than it is now. Crowded churches and chapels were the rule, and many extra buildings were utilised for Divine worship. The harvest thanksgiving services were invariably well attended and I have seen the Parish Church full to capacity on numerous occasions. In 1882 it was estimated that the evening congregation totalled over 1,700. That Sunday still remains in my memory because of a tragedy which occurred. When I took my seat I noticed that Mrs. Ann Rose, who was in the pew in front of me, was obviously unwell. I picked her up and carried her into the south porch. As I laid her down she gave one groan and expired in my arms. Dr. Hailey was just entering the church at the time and when he examined the unfortunate woman he could only confirm my fears.

Often on a summer evening I would walk out to a village church and sometimes visited Milton Keynes where the Rev. J. N. Dalton was rector. It is interesting to record that this gentleman's son, Canon Dalton, was tutor to his late Majesty King George V. The Canon died a few years ago at the great age of 91 years.

Some Sundays I would go to Woughton and listen to the Rev. Farrell. Old Col. Levi was a great man in this district and my grand-father served under him in the Yeomanry during the Chartist riots.

I joined the Yeomanry for a few years and took part in some manoeuvres in Bury Field - a usual occurrence - and I recollect when we were reviewed in Stowe Park by Col. His Grace the Duke of Buckingham on the eve of his departure to Madras to take up the Governor-Generalship. This was in 1876.

During my long connection with Newport Pagnell I have seen many changes in the buildings and planning of the town. I remember when the town pump was in front of Messrs. Taylor's shop with its huge wheel providing a source of amusement for the boys who often swung round on it. This pump was the only means of obtaining drinking water in that part of the town. For household cleansing and other purposes the water from the rivers was used.

In my early days the Market was a big affair, the posts and chains for securing the animals extending as far up the street as Cannon Corner. The cattle were stationed outside the residence of the Lucas's (The Cedars) and the pigs in front of "The Plough" this inn being the principal market house. I remember when the new Police Station was built and the houses adjacent erected with the bricks of the proposed railway viaduct which was to carry a continuation of the line to Olney, but never materialised. The railway communication between Wolverton and Newport was first opened for goods traffic in 1866 and the passenger service instituted the following year. Previous to this most of the merchandise of the town was conveyed on barges using the Newport Arm - an extension of the Grand Junction Canal. Despite the innovation of steam transport heavy luggage waggons still continued a road service to London, the teams of horses leaving "The Wrestlers" Inn three times a week. Cattle were also transported by road, the beasts being shod for the journey. I have vivid recollections of seeing the animals being prepared for their journeys. The sparks of the blacksmith's shop was a great attraction to the youngsters of the town, and needless to say I was a frequent visitor at the shoeings. The forge of Mr. Paybody, near to the Iron Bridge, was a place of great activity, especially on frosty mornings when large numbers of horses were brought in to have their shoes "roughed" to enable them to move easily on the slippery thoroughfares. There were several other blacksmiths in the town who also did good business in my early days. I remember an amusing story concerning the shoeing of cattle on a cold winter's morning at one of the forges. A local minister was passing by when the work was in progress and the fractiousness of the beasts was causing one of the men to use very strong language. The clergyman was horrified to hear the strings of swear words and remonstrated with the man, saying "You never read of Job using bad language in spite of all his trouble." The delinquent replied "Job never had to shoe cattle on a cold morning."

A coach periodically ran to Wolverton and another to Olney.

The fire of 1880 in the High Street considerably altered the appearance of that part of the town. The remains of the " Saracen's Head," the old coaching inn, were destroyed together with the adjoining shops and a portion of “The Swan.”

I also remember when the Congregational Church was known as "The Independent Meeting" or "Bull's Meeting" the latter term being applied owing to the long connection of the Bull family as Ministers of the Church, the last one being the Rev. Josiah Bull whom I knew personally. I recollect, too, four generations as practising solicitors. Then there was Mr. Richard Sheppard, for many years associated with the local gas supply company, who used to conduct religious services in a building which stood in a field adjoining Bury Field. The Hives family was also prominent with another mission in the town.

My earliest memories of what is now known as "Renny Lodge" go back to the time when, as a youngster, I accompanied my elder sister (who was organist) to the services conducted in the institution. My sister also assisted with the teaching of the children who, in those days, were brought in in large numbers. I have lived to see this house develop from a very poor establishment to a place which offers a great degree of comfort to elderly people and others.

The Cemetery close to the Churchyard was opened in my time, and when the new one in the London Road was consecrated in 1925, I was honoured by the privilege of entertaining the Bishop of Buckingham, who performed the ceremony, and who was astonished to learn of the many changes I had witnessed in the town.

I remember when "The Bucks Standard," our well-known newspaper, was established by Mr. E. H. Croydon who called it "Croydon's Weekly Standard". My father was the first appointed agent for the paper in Great Linford. Mr. Croydon took an active part in the public life of the town, one of his chief interests being the fire brigade of which he was superintendent. I knew from boyhood Mr. James Line who was the next proprietor of the paper, his sons and grand-son. I also saw the beginning of Newport's other paper, "The Gazette," well knowing Mr. Joseph Simpson, its founder, and have lived to read the last issue when, it ceased publication in May, 1913.

Another well-known personage of the town with whom I was well acquainted was Dr. Hailey who had a considerable practice in New-port and district. He married a Miss Clode from Great Linford who I knew from childhood. A son of their union, Malcolm, was recently knighted for meritorious service in India, and he paid a great compliment to the town of his birth when he adopted the title of Lord Hailey of Newport Pagnell.

Editor's Note: The Miss Clode that Newman mentions would be Maria Celia Clode, born Great Linford in 1844. She married Hammett Hailey at Great Linford on August 4th 1864. Her father was John Clode, a prosperous farmer who had moved from his birthplace of New Windsor sometime around 1839. The Clode family had a wine importing business in Windsor, and are said to have been suppliers to Royalty. There are a number of Clode gravestones and memorials in St. Andrew's church yard, including that of Harry Algernon Clode, who died in South Africa in 1907.

A sister of Dr. Hailey's wife married the Rev. Charles W. Selby-Lowndes, for forty years rector of North Crawley - the family living. I renewed acquaintance with this lady many years after when she was living at Willington, Beds., following her husband's decease. I wonder how many of my readers recollect the introduction of photography to the town. This was actually done by Mr. John Tole who was in great demand to demonstrate the new art—adding this accomplishment to his already great skill of a watch and clock maker. A few years previously to this, when I was quite a small lad, I was escorted to London to have my photograph taken. The result would have caused considerable amusement among the experts of today, but to me it was a great novelty. I knew Mr. John Tole 's father, Mr. Thomas Tole, who used to tour the district in a small carriage drawn by two dogs, to give attention to the village church clocks when required. He was a great friend of grandfather's and used to join the musical parties, for he was a. good fiddler.

An interesting event which was continued for many years was the annual cricket match in Bury Field which was fought out between teams composed of the butchers and bakers of the town. The latter were generally out run, but the number of complaints of stiff limbs was always greater than the number of runs scored. After these matches a supper and concert was invariably held at one of the hostelries, and a jolly time spent.

A noted character in Newport for many years was Mr. John Miller, popularly known as "Matt." I had numerous dealings with him over a long period and I recall one particular incident. I used to purchase a quantity of old hens at various times from Mr. Henry Bird of Great Linford. These birds had, of course, finished their useful purpose of egg producing. One day I sold one of these hens to "Matt "for the sum of ninepence—the price I gave for it—and when next I saw him I asked if it had made good eating. "Well," he replied, " you told me the truth ; it was an old one. In fact I think it must have been the hen that hatched the cock that crew for Peter."

And so with that little story I bring these reminiscences of mine to a close. As I review the years that are past I recall the mischievous pranks of a small boy amid surroundings foreign to us to-day. I see myself on those jolly trips with my grandfather and can hear, once again, the merry lilt of his fiddle. I see my friends, now long dead and, for the most part, forgotten, and I watch a young man trying to carry out the business traditions of his forefathers. I see him grow old in his labours and, as I lean back in my chair, I whisper—"He's seen progress. From horses to railways and motor-cars ; from balloons to airships and aero-planes ; from post boys and chaises to telephones and wireless; from flint, tinder, tallow candles and snuffers to electricity. Yes, it has truly been a wonderful life."

So in the fullness of my years I say with Ritcher : "Memory is the only Paradise out of which we cannot be driven away." Farewell, dear reader, and may you enjoy these memories of mine as much as I have in writing them. Please

Be to my virtues very kind
Be to my faults a little blind.

More about the Cole family

As mentioned at the beginning of this account, Newman Thomas Cole lived in Great Linford for over 10 years. His sister Lizzie was born in 1866, the last of the Cole children to be born in Great Linford. Newman’s youngest sibling was his brother Joseph Loke Cole was born at Newport Pagnell in October of 1868.

The Cole children were:

Sarah – 1853 - 1936 - Born Newport Pagnell.
Newman Thomas – 1855 – 1937 – Born Great Linford
Charlotte Cole – 1857 - 1910 – Born Great Linford
Fanny – 1859 - 1901 - Born Great Linford
William John – 1861 - ? - Born Great Linford
Harry John – 1863 - ? - Born Great Linford
Arthur Philip – 1866 - 1868 - Born Great Linford
Lizzie Cole – 1866 - 1937 - Born Great Linford
Joseph Loke – 1868 – 1961 - Born Newport Pagnell

We can pinpoint the date of the Newman's move back to Newport Pagnell with some confidence, as his father placed a notice in the paper to thank his customers for their patronage in Great Linford and to announce the establishment of his new business.

William Cole announces his return to Newport Pagnell after 14 years in Great Linford. From Croydon's Weekly Standard - Saturday 02 November 1867. Reproduced with permission of THE BRITISH LIBRARY BOARD.

Newman's mother rejoiced in the rather splendid Christian name of Kerenhappuch, a biblical name from the book of Job. Her maiden name was Meadows, and she was baptised in a non-conformist ceremony at Newport Pagnell on August 29th, 1831. It raises the question if she worshiped as a non-conformist at the chapel on Great Linford High Street.

All but one of Newman's siblings married, and one union in particular is noteworthy. Lizzie married a French citizen, with ceremonies held in both France and England, in 1892. Her husband was Louis Désiré Eugène Schmit, described variously as a wood carver and sculptor. Though a French citizen, his name seems to be more likely of German lineage, which clearly became an issue for the family during the first world war, such that he took the name Cole, as did their two children.

The name Newman, it is fair to be remarked upon, is an unusual one for a forename. Names are frequently chosen in remembrance of someone in a previous generation, but if such a source exists in this case, it remains elusive. The earliest use of the name so far unearthed is that of Newman Sear Cole, born 1832 in Newport Pagnell. The Cole family can be traced further back from Newport Pagnell, to Cranfield in Bedfordshire, and here we find the surname Newman in abundance, dating back to the 1600s. It seems very likely then that somewhere in an earlier generation, a Newman and a Cole intermarried.

Newman Thomas Cole passed away in Newport Pagnell on July 14th 1937. His son, Newman Sear Cole, born 1893 in Newport Pagnell, went on to become a very well known local historian.