James Richardson Thornton Rust / Frank Richardson Thornton Rust 

Author James aged 13 in 1914

James started writing this little book when he was 13 years old.

Jan 1st 1914

I have not been round for my New Years gifts today. We have sold 4 pigs to my uncle Mat and we killed them yesterday. Dummy is going to cut the heads off today.
Uncle Mat is going to take them first thing in the morning to Hawes.

New Years Gifts.

“On New years day all the children from the village would collect in groups before dawn on New Years morning waiting for the first light to shine from a kitchen window and hoping to be the first to offer that house or cottage their new years greeting.
In some homes you may even get a silver threepenny piece for being the first. Even the poorest of housholds would always give us something. One poor old widow who had nothing to offer came out reluctantly to turn us away without a gift and when she saw us her spirit failed her. “Nay, joys,ah heven’t a thing I can give ye”, and we turned away when she called to us, “wait a minute” She came back with a a half full jar of jam and a spoon. “Ye mun hev a lick o’ jam, and she gave a spoonful of jam to each of us. We licked the spoon clean for the next one to have his share.

Mothers would give their children a pllowcase, and a purse. The purse was for the coins from the better off houses where the children were given a half penny or a penny. Other houses woulg give an apple or an orange. Other cottages had baked ginger bread for the children.

It was possible to collect the sum of nearly three shillings on a good day.
The oranges were turned into marmalade and the apples were made into apple pies.”
Excerpts from Kit Calvert of Wensleydale

Jan 2nd 1914

There has been a good lot of snow for a few days, but yesterday it has all melted.
Today I went up and borrowed my uncle Will’s saw and my father and Jack and I have been sawing some wood with it down at the foot of our hill.

Jan 3rd 1914

My mother has gone to Westholme this afternoon to stay all night and she has taken the two younger children with her.

Jan 4th 1914

Mr. Armitage brought me a paper in the afternoon to say that the carol service would be repeated. I had to take it and show the people of Thornton it.
We have also received our prizes today for attendance at the chapel. My book was called the “Watch Tower” and Ernest‘”Dick Whittington.”’
Our Jack had to bring my mother from Westholme it was so wet. We have been up to Willans for supper.

Jan 5th 1914

My aunt Hannah has got a little baby girl. It was born last night at 11 o’clock. My mother and Alice and Frank have gone with us to see the baby tonight.
I and our Jack have been bringing a load of hay from Hackmanhaw.

• Hannah was Hannah Watson Elizabeth Richardsons sister.

Jan 6th 1914

My father has been to Hawes today and Mr. Banks has been with him. My father got a tooth pulled out.
My aunt Emma has been up today from Westholme to see my aunt Hannah’s baby.
It has come some more snow again and I and Jack (John) Pedley (I would love a photo of Jack is there one out there?) have been sledging a bit this afternoon.

Jan 7th 1914

We started school again this morning. There was eleven scholars in the morning and 10 in the afternoon. The snow has nearly melted away now. Our Jack has been with some cheese today to Mr. Leyland.

March 23rd 1914

It is a long time since I wrote before. There are a lot of people shifting their furniture now. Mr. Pedley is going to live at Aysgarth and Mr. Cooperthwaite is coming to live where Mr. Pedley lives now. Diary of J.C. Richardson.

1915

Nov 21st 1915 Sunday

Elsie Cockburn birthday. Mother and Alice and Frank have gone up to tea.

Nov 22nd 1915 Monday

Started selling milk to Cowperthwaites tonight. Will Cockburns have killed 4 pigs today.

Nov 23rd 1915 Tuesday

My father has been to Hawes. He went up with the twelve train and came back with the four.
My uncle Willie and Kittie came to our house for a few hours last night.

Nov 24th 1915 Wednesday

We have killed three pigs today. Jonathan Thompson got the heads.
Alice and Frank and Ernest have gone to Bible class. Had Mr. Wyley Vicar, in a short time tonight.

 

 

 

 

 

The Reverend William Kiteley Wyley
Rural Dean Of Wensleydale
Vicar of Aysgarth Church
1913 – 1932

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Nov 25th 1915 Thursday

We have shifted all the milking cows to Turner field and Broadlands. James Metcalfe’s stone mason has been killing pigs today. We have been cleaning the hen house out.

Nov 26th 1915 Friday

Got pigs cut up and taken to W. Banks of Askrigg. Brought a load of coal back. We have found a hen of ours that has been lost in a place of Miss Metcalfe’s.

Nov 27th 1915 Saturday

My aunt Emma has been up at Thornton from Westholme today. We have been changing tups today bringing one from the Scar Close and taking one back. The weather is still frosty.

Nov 28th 1915 Sunday

Askrigg early 1900s looking up Moor Road

This afternoon we have been for a long walk along the Low Row road. The river was frozen right across in some places. The wind has got into the east now.
Mr. Armitage has gone to preach at Askrigg. Gone there in Bry /Pry? trap.

Nov 29th 1915 Monday

We have sent a post card today to H. Samuel Manchester for a catalogue of their goods. We have sold a cow to Richard Mason.

Nov 30th 1915 Tuesday

My father has been to Hawes today. We delivered the cow at Worton and took it on the low road. This road is slippy. We milked by ourselves tonight.

Dec 1st 1915 Wednesday

It has been a wet day today and very cold. Mr. Close, cow doctor has been at our house today rueling? a cows knee. He has also been putting a bag round a calf that is ruptured.

Dec 2nd 1915 Thursday

We got a catalogue from H. Samuel this morning. We have been getting manure out at Hacmanhaw this morning.
Mother and Alice have been to Aysgarth to get my flash-light filled.
My sister, Alice

Dec 3rd 1915 Friday

It has been a very nasty day today and we have been leading manure from the home midding. Cowperthwaites have killed a pig. It has come some snow tonight.
We have laid our heifers in for the first time.

Dec 4th 1915 Saturday

It has been a nasty day again today. My father got four couples of rabbits today. We have let the stirks go into Turnerfield and Broadlands. We have kept the cows in all day.

Dec 5th 1915 Sunday

We have had a fire in the parlour today as it is much warmer. The snow is thawing.

Dec 6th 1915 Monday

My father has been to Bainbridge today with some lambs to John Cockburn. The snow has just about gone. We have kept the cows in all day.

Dec 7th 1915 Tuesday

We sold 9 rabbits to J.W. Heseltine this morning. My father has caught 4 more this afternoon and we have been down to the low road to give them to J.W.H. as he came back from Hawes.
My mother has to go up to Mrs. Willans tonight.

• J.W.H = J.W.Heseltine

Dec 8th 1915 Wednesday

My father and I have been spreading manure at Hackmanhaw today.
Mr. Horton curate has had his tea at our house. Frank and Alice and Ernest have gone to bible class.

Dec 9th 1915 Thursday

It has been Jim Metcalfe’s hay sale today. My father has bought a mow of hay at a barn called Peaselands. It is snowing hard tonight.

Dec 10th 1915 Friday

It has been a very wet day and the snow has nearly gone.
As I was going for hay to Hackmanhaw I saw a fox going limping along Jim Metcalfes’ field. I followed it for a little time. Mr.Tunstills gamekeeper came and said that he had shot at it, he trailed it for about an hour in the snow and at last shot and killed it in Hacmanhaw Gill. It had worried 13 hens at Low Gill

Mr. Tunstills Gamekeeper with a fox
l.

 Dec 11th 1915 Saturday Dec 12th

It is my mothers birthday today. It has been a fearful wet and windy day today.
Will Cockburns have been killing two pigs today. They are going to keep them for themselves.

Dec 12th 1915 Sunday

I have been to Aysgarth this afternoon with my bicycle to post a letter. When I came back I went to the chapel. Mother and Alice and Frank have gone to the mission-room tonight.

Dec 13th 1915 Monday

We have turned all our sheep out on the moor and have let the scotch tup go with them.
We have brought the three mug tups down into the inland.
Mother and Frank and Alice have been to Aysgarth tonight. They called at Riggs House.

Dec 14th 1915 Tuesday

Mother has gone up to Aunt Hannah’s tonight. They sent us some fry and she has taken the basket back.
This morning when we got up it was very windy and snowing hard, but it soon turned to rain and it has been a very wet day.

Dec 15th 1915 Wednesday

I have got a new Sou Weston cap and coat. My mother has packed two cheeses up to send to Aunt Alice.
My father has clipped our hair tonight. It has been very dark and misty today.

Dec 16th 1915 Thursday

Bainbridge circa 1910

My father has been to Bainbridge with a load of cheese.
I have been up shepherding on Addleborough this afternoon.
Mother has been at Bainbridge. I have been in Mr. Armitage tonight. He has given me some sums to do at night.
It has been a nice day.

Dec 17th 1915 Friday

It has been a nice calm day and I have been scaling in Hackmanhaw. My aunt Hannah has been down at our house a little bit tonight.
Mother has gone up to ask Bries housekeeper if she can go and wash for Mrs. Mason Riggs House.

Dec 18th 1915 Saturday

I and Ernest have scaled the two little pastures today. There has been a hunt at Low Gill. We saw them kill a hare in Richmond Gate Lane.
Mother has gone to a concert in Aysgarth. It is for the Red Cross fund. I think it is freezing tonight.

Dec 19th 1915 Sunday

Frank and Ernest have been down at the low road. They brought some holly back with berries on it. We have been to chapel tonight. There was a good lot of people there.
We had lost our scotch tup but found it in G. Metcalfe’s allotment.
My youngest brother, Frank

Dec 20th 1915 Monday

We have led 7 cart loads of manure today. Three from home and 4 from Broadlands. We would have led more but it came on wet. We have sold three rabbits to G. Johnson.
Mr. Armitage has been in for a short time. He brought mother a writing pad to look at.

Dec 21st 1915 Tuesday

Father was going to go to Hawes today but it came on wet so he could not go. We have spread three cartloads of manure and scaled a bit in the Pry.
Mother and Alice and Frank have gone to Askrigg. They brought some books and Christmas stockings back.

Dec22nd 1915 Wednesday

It has been a very mild warm day. We have been scaling most of the day in Pry and South of Lears.
Mother is making brone (could he mean brawn) ready for Christmas. Ernest said the niggers were at Askrigg last night.

Dec 23rd 1915 Thursday

We got a parcel this morning from Uncle Albert. It contained badges, books and sweets. Mother has got the recipe for Jam Buk . She has been making some today. It has been an awful wet day.
They have been hunting here today.

• Jam Buk was sold in a tin. It was used as a salve to put on chapped hands. Mrs Richardson must have been making a generic version of it.

Dec 24th 1915 Saturday Christmas Eve

My mother, Elizabeth Richardson

Mother is decorating the house with holly tonight. We have been cutting Peaslands mow, Dummy has brought Frank 3 sweet pigs. Alice has been at a party at young Mrs. Jim Metcalfe’s.
It has been a very wet day today.

Dec 25th 1915 Saturday Christmas Day

I and Frank have been for a walk down Nipe lane and by the river-side. We have received a parcel from Aunt Alice. It contained a game each for Alice and Frank and gloves each for me and Ernest.
We have had Aysgarth singers; it is a fine night for them. Alice and Frank have been to a party, Mr. Metcalfe’s stone mason at the bottom of the town.

Dec 26th 1915 Sunday

There has been special carol service in the chapel today. In the afternoon and evening we have had two girls of J.L. Haw of Thoralby and Betsy and Isabel Metcalfe in to tea. It has been a wet day.

Dec 27th 1915 Monday

It has been a very wet day. We have had Mr. Morgan who is staying at Mr. Armitages in our house tonight. We have been scaling in the far South of Lears. We have started to milk our cows only in the morning so we want them signing.

Dec 28th 1915 Tuesday

My father has been to Hawes. He has got Ernest leggings but they do not fit. We have sold 7 rabbits to J.W. Heseltine. We have scaled the Scath Garth.?

Dec 29th 1915 Wednesday

It has been a very wet day. We have been cleaning the calf house out and then I and Ernest had a swing. My father has been on the moor but it was so misty he could not see the sheep. My father and mother have gone to Mrs. Willans to a party.

Dec 30th 1915 Thursday

Aysgarth around 1908/1909

We have been shifting beast today. We have taken four cows and a stirk to Peaslands and four heifers and a stirk to the Scar Close. Mother has been to a sale at Aysgarth of the things of a man called Thompson. She called at Riggs House and had her tea. I have been on the scar on my bicycle to fodder the beast tonight.

Dec 31st 1915 Friday

We have taken four calves to Hackmanhaw today and left the two beast at home. We have also laid five stirks in at Turner Lear for the first time. It has been a very windy day and has kept coming showers. We have been scaling Turnerfield.

1916

Jan 1st 1916 Saturday

Alice and Frank have been round for their New Years Gifts. It has been a fearful wet and windy day and it has blown wet into the Lears. We have not done much today. I have made a beasom to take on scar.

Jan 2nd 1916 Sunday

It is still windy and keeps coming showers. We have been down to the river and Ernest found a tin of Dales Dubbin that had been washed down by the flood. There have been special prayers for the soldiers at the chapel tonight. Alice and Frank have got their prizes for attendance at chapel. Alice’s is “Aunt Jo’s Scrap Book” and Franks is “Into the Light””

Jan 3rd 1916 Monday

We had a cow broke a redster at Peaslands today. We have shifted the stirk from Peaslands to Hackmanhaw. The wind has blown part of the wall down in our front garden. Father has been round Addleborough today.

Jan 4th 1916 Tuesday

Father has been at Hawes today he has got me and Ernest a pair of overalls each and me a pair of leggings. He watered on the Scar as he came back. Mr. Armitage has been in tonight and had some Christmas Cake.

Jan 5th 1916 Wednesday

Father has been to Askrigg for a load of coal. He got West Riding Coals. Alice and Frank and Ernest have gone to a tea Mr. Weyley is giving in the Institute at Aysgarth for those who attend bible-class. The wind has dropped tonight and it has been fair all day.

Jan 6th 1916 Thursday

It has been windy again all day. We have led four loads of manure from home middins. Two to Scathgarth, one into the garth and one into the pasture. Mr. Auton has been in and had some tea. Frank, Alice and Ernest have been to bible-class.
Alice and Frank have been opening their Christmas Stockings today. There is a Band of Hope at Aysgarth tonight. Mary Cockburn is singing. Father has been leading manure today and I and Ernest have been spreading manure in South Garth.

Jan 8th 1916 Saturday

It has been a lovely day today and we have got a good load of manure spread. I have been on the scar on my bicycle tonight. Mary Cockburn has been in with the Mothers Union.

Jan 9th 1916 Sunday

Mother and Alice and Frank have been to Aysgarth Church this morning. They went to Westholme and stayed dinner and tea. I and Jack Pedley and George Durham have been for a ride on our bicycles on the scar and round by the low road. It has been a fine day again.

Jan 10th 1916 Monday

It has been a very wet day. I and my father have been mending cow-stalls in the shop. We have had Jack Pedley in tonight to his supper and we played a few games. The other three children have started school.

Jan 11th 1916 Tuesday

My father, Thomas Richardson

Father has been at Hawes again today. He has bought a new fork. It has been a nice day and is freezing tonight. I have been spreading manure in the pasture and we have had to water all but Scar Close.

Jan 12th 1916 Wednesday

I have been with our mare to the blacksmiths at Aysgarth this afternoon. My father has been spreading manure in Scath Garth. It has been a wild day. Mother has been at Mrs. Durham’s, she called at Mrs. Willans.

Jan 13th 1916 Thursday

It has been a dry day but very windy. I have got a bad cold. Father has been getting out manure and I have been spreading it. It has been Nicholas Horner’s of Worton Sale today. A good few people have gone from Thornton.

Jan 14th 1916 Friday

It was frosty this morning but tonight it has turned raw and is raining. There is a concert and Cinematograph at Askrigg tonight. It belongs to a firm called Montgomeries. It will be on again tomorrow night. We are not going as it is rather wet. I and my father have got 15 loads of manure out this afternoon.

Jan 15th 1916 Saturday

Father has sold 11 old ewes to W. Metcalfe Nappa Hall. He has taken them to the rose and Crown at Bainbridge today. He has had to go tonight to calve a cow for Mr. Cowperthwaites. Mr. Cowperthwaite has to go to the station. It has been a very wild day.

Jan 16th Sunday

My father has been round the moor this afternoon. I and Ernest have been for a walk by the river-side. We have been to the chapel tonight. He preached about the Garden of Eden.

Jan 17th 1916 Monday

It has been a lovely day just like Spring. I saw a phewit fly over Scar Close Lear tonight. We have been to Montgomeries concert at Aysgarth. The main picture was entitled “The Baby Killers”.

Jan 18th 1916 Tuesday

It has not been a bad day again today. We have had Ralph Metcalfe from Scar Top here today. We have spread about 9 cart loads of manure. Ernest stayed at home to help us.

Jan 19th 1916 Wednesday

It has been the old kind of weather again today, wind and rain. Father has brought the little black Galloway down into the Moor Bottom. The children have been to the bible-class. Mother has gone to the service.

Jan 20th 1916 Thursday

Father has been on the moor. There have been some of Tot Metcalfe’s sheep mixed with ours. John Durham died last night about 5 o’clock. It has been hail stoning today. I have brought the Galloway into the South of Lears.

Jan 21st 1916 Friday

Mr. John Chapman’s works of the electric light have been on fire today and caused a lot of damage. It has blown a lot of twigs off the trees. I have gathered a lot of sticks in the land. It has been a very wild day.

Jan 22nd 1916 Saturday

There has been a sale at Littleburn, Thoralby of Ralph Hemsleys. It has been a windy day and came a shower of hail-stones just before dinner. We have spread all the manure we have out and scaled about 5 acres.
Mother was going to go to Bainbridge but it looked like rain.

Jan 23rd 1916 Sunday

It has been a fine day. I went to the chapel this afternoon. Mr. Armitage has received 7 post cards from soldiers at the front acknowledging gifts sent by the Thornton school children.
Alice has gone to the Mission Room tonight. I have been reading the Christian Herald”.

Jan 24th 1916 Monday

John Durham has been buried today. Father went to the funeral and was a bearer.
We have had Jack Tate here today. He is coming on Wednesday to spread manure for us and wall.

Jan 25th 1916 Tuesday

Father has been to Hawes and brought bullets (were these sweets or ammunition) and pear drops back.
We have had May Haw from Thoralby. She brought us two books and had her tea. We have had Mrs. Banks in to some Christmas cake and wine.

Jan 26th 1916 Wednesday

J. Tate has not been today because it has been too wet. We have got all the high-side land scaled. Mother has gone to a Sunday School Anniversary at Aysgarth and is going to stay for her supper.

Jan 27th 1916 Thursday

I have scaled the two Scar Closes today and the little pasture down at the low side. We have only about 4 cart loads of manure left in the home middin. Father has led 7 cart loads into the Broadlands.
It has been a beautiful day.
Mother been to Bainbridge selling off.

Jan 28th 1916 Friday

It has been a wet day but was fine in the morning. I have been to Bainbridge with the cart with some cheese and brought some parcels back.
Father has been on the moor, there was a lot of Hammonds and Tot Metcalfe’s sheep mixed with ours.

• In the accounts book for this day there were 35 cheeses sold at £4 1s 2d.

James parents Mr and Mrs T Richardson working in the dairy at Manor Farm

Jan 29 1916 Saturday

It has been a nice day again. Ernest, Frank and I have scaled in the West Gibson field today. Father has been leading manure to Hackmanhaw.
Mrs. Cowperthwaite has been in to borrow a candle for a trap lamp.
My Aunt Hannah has been down a bit tonight with Chris and Elsie.

Jan 30th 1916 Sunday

My Aunt Emma has been up today. She had her tea at Aunt Hannas and her dinner at our house. I, Frank, and Ernest have had a walk along the riverside we went nearly to Nappa Mill.
Lizzie Durham has had her tea at our house, she went to chapel with us.

Jan 21st 1916 Monday

There has been a hunt today at Low Gill. They killed a hare again at Turner Gate. J. Storey gave us a hare.
Father and I have spread about 7 cartloads of manure in Broadlands. We have had Tom Routh to look at some beast but he has not bought them.

Feb 1st 1916 Tuesday

Hawes Market Day. circa early 1900s

Father and mother have been to Hawes today in the trap. They brought back tea cakes and pork pies.
We have had Elsie Percival in tonight. She has brought a book back that she borrowed from mother. It has been a foggy day.
Ernest stayed at home this morning.

Feb 2nd 1916 Wednesday

We have had Jackson Newton and Len Gill to look at some cows today. We have forked the manure out of the calf-house and tied the two calves in the calf-house.
It has been rather a wet day. Alice, Frank and Ernest have been to the bible class.

Feb 3rd 1916 Thursday

It has been a wild wet windy day. It has been a partial eclipse of the sun today but we could not see the sun for the clouds.
We have not done any work it has been too wet.
Father has been up into the cobblers shop.

Feb 4th 1916 Friday

Father and I have spread about 3 cartloads of manure at Hackmanhaw and could have spread it all but it came on snow.
J. Durham is in our house tonight, he has brought us a log from where they are chopping trees at Beck Bits. We have had porridge tonight.

Feb 5th 1916 Saturday

Father has sold 1 cow, 2 geld stirks, and a calving stirk to T. Routh. Father and Ernest have been with them to Worton today.
We have spread three cartloads of manure at Hackmanhaw and been mending the fence in Blake Hill that we bought till March 25th.
The steam roller is on the low road.

Feb 6th 1916 Sunday

It has been a pouring wet day but has faired out tonight. The river has been flooded.
I did not go to the chapel this afternoon, mother and Frank did. Alice is not so well. Mother has gone up to Aunt Hannas.
Father has been on the moor this afternoon there were some of Hammonds and Coats sheep in.

Feb 7th 1916 Monday

Askrigg early 1900s

It has been a fearful wild day. It has kept coming showers of snow and the hills are white. Father has been for coals to Askrigg station today.
He told the stationmaster to see T. Routh as he got off the 3 train and tell him he had not to come to Thornton to look at our cows. I have been scaling at the low side.

Feb 8th 1916 Tuesday

It has been a wild day and there is part snow on the ground. My father has been at Hawes. Jack Tate has been in our house tonight. He has drove a bull for Cowperthwaite and a bull for J. Chapman from Hawes.
There is a practice in Mr. Armitage for a Service of Song.

Feb 9th 1916 Wednesday

It has been a fine day but very cold. My father and Ernest have been to a barn just this side of Hawes belonging to a man called Mason. They came back with the half-past 1 train.
Mother has been to Thoralby to J. L. Haws and brought some books and shoes back.
They took 4 cows to stay 1 month.

Feb 10th 1916 Thursday

It has been a dry day but very cold. Father and I have been on the moor drawing some of the worst sheep out to bring down into Peasland and Blake Hill. We caught two rabbits by tracing them in the snow.
Mother and Alice have been to Aysgarth to Ben Sayers and the dressmakers.

Feb 11th 1916 Friday

It has come a good lot of snow but has faired out this afternoon. Father has been at Leyburn today. He went down with the 9 train and came back with the four.
Frank has got a very bad cough.
There was no school today has there was only H. Roland there.

Feb 12th 1916 Saturday

It has turned to rain again and the snow has almost gone. We have got Broadlands middings out this afternoon. We have had J. Lambert to look at a good cow and he has bought it.
Both Ernest, Frank and Alice have got colds.
There is a concert at Aysgarth tonight.

Feb 13th 1916 Sunday

It has been a wild day again. Both Ernest and Frank have got the measels. We sent with Cathy Metcalfe for the doctor and he came tonight. They are both in bed.
Father has been on to the Scar Close to look at the heifers.

Feb 14th 1916 Monday

It has been another wild day again. Alice has got the measels as well, the doctor (Dr Hime) has been this morning.
I and my father have been delivering a cow that T. Lambert bought. His man met us at Aysgarth. We have shifted the red cow from Broadlands to J. Metcalfe’s barn. It has kept coming showers of snow.

Feb 15th 1916 Tuesday

It was a very big wind this morning but has dropped a lot now.
Father and I have thrown all the manure out at Broadlands on Saturday.
The doctor has sent a bottle of medicine up with Jim Posty for the children. He is not going to call tomorrow.
Mrs. Durham has paid me for the milk.

• Who was Jim Posty?
• was he a postman?

Feb 16th 1916 Wednesday

It has been a high wind today and has kept coming big, heavy showers of snow. My father has been on the moor gathering all the sheep into Thoralby Newk.
It is the parish tea but there can not many go from here it is so wild.
The children are going on nicely now.

Feb 17th 1916 Thursday

It has come a good bit of snow today and keeps coming showers. Father has been to a land sale at Askrigg today and has bought H. Cockburns farm.
I have been taking some old hay down to the low side for bedding for the tups. I have watered all but Scar Close tonight.

Feb 18th 1916 Friday

It has been rather a wet day but warm & calm & the snow is rapidly melting away. Father has been on the moor and caught three rabbits. He says the snow is very deep up there.
There is a practice at W. Armitages tonight.

Feb 19th 1916 Saturday

It has been a grand day. I and my father have scaled the Middle Gibson field.
I also scaled a bit in the garths above Rowlands. We have brought the sheep that we brought down from the moor for Peaslands out of the pastures, marked them with paint, and taken them to Peaslands.

Feb 20 1916 Sunday

It has been a hard frost through the night. J. Tate has been at our house this morning. He has gone up into Bishopdale and is coming again in the morning.
I have had a walk down to the low road to see the steam roller and brought some water-cress back.
I and my mother have been to Aysgarth chapel to hear Jack Harrison.

Feb 21st 1916 Monday

My brother, Ernest

It has been another hard frost. Jack Tate has come this afternoon and has been getting manure out at Turner field.
I have had to go for the doctor this afternoon for Ernest as he has no appetite. I have been for a bottle of medicine tonight. I went down with Jim Posty.

Feb 22nd 1916 Tuesday

It has been a very cold day and has kept coming showers of snow. Father has been to Hawes. He went with the 9 train and came back with the half-past 1 train.
J Tate started to get out manure but the horses shoe came off and so he has gone to Hawes as well.
The doctor has been to Ernest this morning. Ernest is not so well again tonight.

Feb 23rd 1916 Wednesday

It has been a very wintry day. Ernest is a good deal better. I have been with the horse to get shod to the Blacksmiths at Aysgarth.
I have been up to sit with Ernest a bit tonight. The servant man at Low Gill has got measels.

Feb 24th 1916 Thursday

It has been a very cold and wintry day. Father has been on the moor and I have been chopping wood.
I have wrote a letter to my cousin Fred. Mr. Guy has brought some beast today to the hay he has bought off J. Metcalfe.
Ernest is going on very nicely.

Feb 25th 1916 Friday

It has been another wild day. Father has been for coals to Askrigg, he has got nut coals.
He took a box of eggs to Askrigg for Mr Banks.
Mother has been baking. We have given over selling milk to Cowperthwaites.
Father is adding the milk up tonight.

Feb 26th 1916 Saturday

It has been a fearful wild day and has drifted the snow a good deal. Father and I have been on the moor after the sheep, we thought there might be some over-blown but we found them all.
Mr. Rowland has come from Catterick for the week-end tonight.
Mr Crow has not come with the papers.
I was cutting snow this morning.

Feb 27th 1916 Sunday

It has been a much better day. Father has been on to look at the heifers and then on to the moor and caught a rabbit.
Lizzie Durham paid me for milk this morning. Cowperthwaite came into our house to pay for milk last night.
The service is going to be held in the afternoon in future because of the windows having to be darkened. (WW1 Blackout)

Feb 28th 1916 Monday

It has been a fine day but for the snow. The snow is softening tonight. Ernest and Frank have been out a bit at the front today cutting snow.
We have brought two of the heifers from on Scar Close as one of them is going to calve. Father is going to get up and look at it. We have left 2 heifers and 1 stirk at Scar Close.
Father has shifted the inland sheep into the pasture.

Feb 29th 1916 Tuesday

It was a very wild and snowy morning but fared out this afternoon and is freezing tonight.
Got red and white heifer calven. Red and white calf this morning.
Father has been to Hawes and brought margarine and prunes.
We got a letter from New Zealand and also a letter from Uncle Albert this morning.
I have been on the moor this afternoon and gathered the sheep into Thoralby Neuk

March 1st 1916 Wednesday

It has thawn the snow a lot today and has made the sheep able to pasture better.
Father has cut my hair.
We have been putting sticks up at Scar Close so that when we take the stirks on they can not turn themselves. He got the sticks in Hackmanhaw Gill.

March 2nd 1916 Thursday

It has been a snowy day again and is freezing tonight. I and father have been drawing some sheep out from the moor to bring to Hackmanhaw.
I and Frank are going to sleep in best room because it is dropping rain in our room. Father has been up in the garret and got about half a pail full of snow out.
We have had Mr. Milner for orders.

March 3rd 1916 Friday

It has been a very cold day and kept coming showers of snow. We had to fodder all the sheep this morning.
Alice, Frank and Ernest had a walk round by the Low Road, and got caught in a shower.
We have brought a load of hay from Hackmanhaw to Turnerfield.
Mother was at Aunt Hannas last night & J. Iveson cousin our house.

March 4th 1916 Saturday

It has been a fine day but cold and frosty. I and my father brought a load of hay from Broadlands to Turnerfield for the sterks. Then we went down to the low side and got the middin out at New Lear.
Franks has started taking Durham milk again. We have had J. Tate called tonight.
Mother has gone up to Mrs. Durhams to take some books back.

March 5th 1916 Sunday

It has been a nice day. Alice Frank and mother have been to Westholme and called at Riggs House as they came back.
We have shifted the two heifers from Turnerfield to Broadlands. We have brought the white cow from Peaslands to Turnerfield as she is going to calve. Father is going to get up to look at her.

March 6th 1916 Monday

It has been a very stormy day. We got the white cow calven this morning, she has brought a grand roand why calf.

I and my father took a load of manure on to Scar Close, and got 4 cartloads of manure out at Scar Close. Then we brought the two heifers and stirk on to Broadlands.
The papers have not come and people say there has been another air raid.

March 7th 1916 Tuesday

It has been a fearful wild and snowy day. Father has been at Hawes today. We have got the roand heifer that we brought from on Scar calven this morning. He Has brought a white heifer calf.
I and Ernest have had to water at Peaslands and Hackmanhaw. Ernest and father are going to bring the cows from Hawes and take 3 geld stirks in their place.

Dear readers I have now come to the end of this book, but I intend to continue my diary in another book.
J.C. Richardson.

• The diary was transcribed by Angela Kershaw.
•  Photographs restored and added October 2005
• ©This work is copyright
• Some account records and Home spun animal cures to be added later.
• Many thanks to Libby Bell of Leyburn for the loan of her father’s tiny diary, and some photos which helped to make this  page possible.