Wakefield Historical Society UK
@wfdhistsoc.bsky.social
Our Society aims to promote knowledge of the past and preservation of local heritage in Wakefield and beyond
And the electoral corruption didn't stop in Tomlinson's day...
History and Heritage Yorkshire@handhyorkshire.bsky.social · 21h agoAhead of tomorrow. My favourite political corruption story! This wonderful former Wakefield shop was at the centre of alleged political corruption worthy of the present day. In 1883, Albert Gosnay sent 24lbs of pork pies to a local polling station where the returning officer served it to
New post on the Matthew Tomlinson blog. He writes of the violence at the hustings on Wood Street in Wakefield during the 1837 West Riding Election. Riot at the Hustings: the 1837 West Riding Election matthewtomlinsonjournals.wordpress.com/2026/08/06/r...
Riot at the Hustings: the 1837 West Riding Election
Leeds Intelligencer, 5th August 1837, courtesy of British Newspaper Archive/British Library 1837 Augt 6th The West-rideing Election has cloased: – (Lord Morpeth, Sir Geo. Strickland…
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New post on the Matthew Tomlinson Journals blog, Tomlinson reflects on the murder of a servant maid, 1807: matthewtomlinsonjournals.wordpress.com/2026/08/02/t...
Tomlinson Reflects on the Murder of a Servant Maid, 1807
1807 Aug 2nd ….Have felt my mind considerably engaged, and somtimes agitated by reading a paragraph in our paper of one Robinson in this county, murdering his servant maid who was with child …
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🧵The former Great Northern Hotel, 97-99 Westgate, Wakefield dates from 1875 & was built on the site of the Coopers Arms pub after John Crosland sent plans off to the Surveyors department of the council for a rebuild. Built over 3 storeys the first floor had 1 bedroom & an indoor WC & the second /1
where John etched his name into the dungeon walls while he was a prisoner, a powerful reminder of his captivity during the English Civil War. #PontefractCastle #EnglishCivilWar #historicgraffiti
Morris seized Pontefract Castle and its artillery in June 1648, John was captured and imprisoned in the castle's dungeon. He may have remained there for months. Records show that his wife was allowed to visit him twice in November 1648. This carving is one of four places
🧵More about Pontefract: During the English Civil War, John Grant was the gunner in charge of the parliamentary artillery at Pontefract Castle. He was described as an "expert siege gunner" and commanded a "great iron gunne" at the Battle of Chequerfield in March 1645. When Colonel
What a striking picture. Did the photographer ever think that 60 years in the future that the towers would be gone?
Des@desdelboy.bsky.social · 2w agoMorning all. Photographer Eric de Maré. St Edward's, Brotherton, with Ferrybridge B power station behind, 1960s.
🧵A blue plaque for civil engineer, John Smeaton, 1724-1792, near Leeds Dock. Smeaton was employed to design & oversee the initial opening up of the Calder from Wakefield up the Calder valley towards Halifax. His journal from 1760-1763 was transcribed for the book, John Smeaton & Calder Navigation /1
New post on the Matthew Tomlinson Journals blog: Volunteers, Music and Doleful Thoughts, July 1807 Tomlinson is charged with mustering volunteers, enjoys listening to music, but his mind is always on decline and death. matthewtomlinsonjournals.wordpress.com/2026/07/25/v...
Volunteers, Music and Doleful Thoughts, July 1807
Recruiting Soldiers at Brentford, Thomas Rowlandson 1794 (Artvee) JULY 1807 26th Have had much hurry in my office, and somtimes confusion in my mind thro’ the course of the past week, while adoptin…
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Wakefield Historical Publications is delighted to announce this new prestigious publication: 'Bucklers’ Yorkshire Buildings: The Architectural and Topographical Drawings of John Buckler and John Chessell Buckler of 1804-1820' More information: www.wakefieldhistoricalsociety.org.uk/publications...
Wakefield Historical Publications - Wakefield Historical Society
Wakefield Historical Publications, established in 1977, has published almost 50 titles on all aspects of Wakefield and regional history.
wakefieldhistoricalsociety.org.uk
Local and Family History Network at Wakefield Library, Monday 27th July. Free, all welcome, no need to book. "The Rev'd Edward Cragg Haynes - The second black vicar to be trained in the Church of England", talk by Rona Dickinson.
New post on the Matthew Tomlinson Journals blog: 'Party Politics, the 1837 Election, 16th July.' Bribery and corruption 'senceless invectives, – scurrilous squibs, and party abuses' even bribing an elector with £40 for his pig! matthewtomlinsonjournals.wordpress.com/2026/07/18/p...
Party Politics, the 1837 Election, July 16th
Mezzotint of William Lascelles by William Overend Geller, Wikimedia Commons. (Tory winner of the Wakefield constituency against Daniel Gaskell, Tomlinson’s Whig landlord) JULY 1837 16th Some …
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An absolute treasure! Don’t miss your chance to buy a copy!
@rickarobooks.bsky.social · 4w agoNow available, Bucklers Yorkshire Buildings: The Architectural and Topographical Drawings of John Buckler and John Chessell Buckler of 1804 1820. A splendidly illustrated volume. @wfdhistsoc.bsky.social @wakefieldmuseums.bsky.social @yvbsg.bsky.social @handhyorkshire.bsky.social
Matthew Tomlinson Journals blog, new post: "Buying and Selling a Horse - Lies and Deceit, July 1807". Despite his strong moral beliefs, Tomlinson is prepared to deceive and accept deception when he is buying and selling a horse: matthewtomlinsonjournals.wordpress.com/2026/07/11/b...
Buying and Selling a horse – lies and deceit, July 1807
JULY 1807 Selling a horse, Thomas Rowlandson, 1791 (Artvee) 12th …… A week ago, purchased a new Mare, I was remarkeably fearful of meeting with one which wou’d be refractory,…
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Information from South Leeds Archaeology: As part of the excavations at Temple Newsam, we are having an Open day when members of the general public can join an Archaeological Dig. Sun 26July, two sessions 10am to 12:30pm and 1pm to 3:30pm. booking: www.southleedsarchaeology.org.uk/openday_form/
Open Day Form – South Leeds Archaeology
southleedsarchaeology.org.uk
A blue plaque has been unveiled for Wing Commander John Freeborn at Armed Forces Day in Leeds. Born in Leeds he flew Spitfires in WW2 & fought in some of the fiercest fighting at Dunkirk before being forced down over France & avoiding capture by German forces for /1 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
War hero honoured as Leeds show 'respect' on Armed Forces Day
Armed Forces Day is held every June and pays tribute to active service personnel and veterans.
bbc.co.uk
Are you following the Matthew Tomlinson Journal blog? On the 28th June 1838 Tomlinson was considering the waste of public money for Queen Victoria's coronation in the 'nonsense of crowning her'. matthewtomlinsonjournals.wordpress.com/2026/06/27/t...
The Coronation of Princess Victoria, 28 June 1838
Coronation of Queen Victoria 28 June 1838 by Sir George Haytercommons/wikimedia/ Royal Collection.org.uk 1838 Thury June 27th This is the Coronation-day of Princes Victoria &c the leg…
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New post on the Matthew Tomlinson Journals blog: Tomlinson Ponder on Adolescence, June 1807. He considers the changes he sees in his servant lad. matthewtomlinsonjournals.wordpress.com/2026/06/20/t...
Tomlinson Ponders on Adolescence, June 1807
1807 June 21st My passage is tolerable easy, and uninterupted at the present; nothing material thwarts my designs, or crosses my intentions, save a few trivial matters that are inseperable fro…
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Matthew Tomlinson Journals blog, new post: The Death of a Shoemaker, and the Coming of the Railway, June 1837. Tomlinson cares about his neighbours. He finds it hard to see the fields he has ploughed all his life taken for the railway. matthewtomlinsonjournals.wordpress.com/2026/06/13/t...
The Death of a Shoemaker and the coming of the Railway, June 1837
The Country Cobbler, Thomas Rowlandson ca 1780 – 1825 June 1837 11th Have gone tolerably well on thro’ another sircling week, – to wit. – My mare is much better, –…
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Matthew Tomlinson Journals blog, new post: The Burial of Tomlinson's Father, June 1807: Tomlinson bemoans the fact that he is unable to bury his father in the same place as his mother, and has to use the 'new' church (St John's): matthewtomlinsonjournals.wordpress.com/2026/06/05/t...
The Burial of Tomlinson’s Father, June 1807
St John’s Church Wakefield 1807 Suny June 7th – I am frequently gloomy, and sad; because filial affection, and regard still lives in my bosom; I do not mourn because his end was either …
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Update on the Elizabethan Gallery (Old Grammar School) The President and Hon. Secretary of the Society were pleased to meet the new owners who will move their business Wool n Stuff to the building next year, following sympathetic restoration: www.wakefieldhistoricalsociety.org.uk/about-us/blog/
A new post has been added to the Matthew Tomlinson Journals blog: 'Tales of Woe, 1838'. Tomlinson ponders on old age, of himself, a neighbour's horse, and the death of a neighbour. matthewtomlinsonjournals.wordpress.com/2026/05/30/t...
Tales of Woe, 1838
Thomas Gainsborough (1727-1788) – An Old Horse – NG1484 – National Gallery, Wikimedia Commons MAY 1838 27th The saboth is again returned, and the season continues cold; many poor …
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This week is the Roman Festival! - 30 May - 10am-4pm - Castleford Precinct, WF10 1BB For more information visit: https://experiencewakefield.co.uk/event/castleford-roman-festival/ #RomanFestival #Romans #Castleford #ThingsToDo
New post on the Matthew Tomlinson Journals blog: Two Noted Bruisers, May 1808. Tomlinson enjoys prize-fighting - this was a famous fight that was reported in the news sheets - I wonder whether prize fights were held in Wakefield. matthewtomlinsonjournals.wordpress.com/2026/05/23/t...
‘Two Noted Bruisers’, May 1808
Fight on 10 May 1808 between John Gully and Bob Gregson. Creative commons: By Unknown author – Public Domain, May 1808 22nd Have felt my thoughts much engaged, in dwelling upon the two n…
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A lovely piece of ephemera and in very good condition
Michael Shallcross@michaelshallcross.bsky.social · 3mo agoCheck out this fabulous poster my mother-in-law just discovered in her loft 🤩
Local History has been championed by the Schools History Project since the 1970s! When our pioneering predecessors, SCHP, wrote their seminal book, A New Look at History, in 1976 they talked about a new course for history students to study, which they called History Around Us ...
Wakefield Historical Society meeting on 13 May: '180 years of Eastmoor, its people and their houses' by Dr Joanne Harrison, architect, consultant and researcher. More information: www.wakefieldhistoricalsociety.org.uk/whs-events/p...
Ah, Suckling Spendlove. The man with the longest inventory in our probate archive. He had a shop so it includes all your everyday grocery items such as brandy, raisins, spices, soap, 'Wash balls', coffee powder, 'glaized pypes', Naples 'Biskettes', gunpowder, mercury, and 'one box of Druggs'.
Merchant Adventurers’ Hall@merchantshallyork.org · 3mo agoWe've had an idea for some fun Thursday afternoon activity. Give us a year from 1357 to 1957 and we will give you a name of a Merchant Adventurer who joined the Company that year. For example in 1665 Suckling Spendlove became a member. Yes you heard right. 😆
