Rolston – Hull & East Yorkshire History Calendar

October 7th

On 7th October 1659, William Stallen of Patrington was fined for slander, accusing Jeames and Mary Adams of stealing John Reynard’s corn.

On 7th October 1846, the York & North Midland Railway opened the line from Hull to Beverley; on 1.5.1865 the line from York was extended south from Market Weighton.

On 7th October 1894, Ellen Sleeth, aged 14, died in the care of the Port of Hull Society’s Sailor’s Orphan Home. There is a memorial in Western General Cemetery

On 7th October 1920, the sale of the Rolston Estate took place after the sudden death of Major Haworth-Booth, with 1577 acres sold, including 9 farms, Rolston Hall, cottages, waterworks and a rifle range.

Orphan deaths, Sailor's Orphan Home

June 21st

On 21st June 1366, Sir William de la Pole died. The first Mayor of Hull, knighted by Edward III, was lord of Myton. He acquired some land just outside Hull where there was a college of 6 secular priests. They were replaced by Franciscans, then Sir William pulled down the buildings and built a hospital. Then he introduced Poor Clare nuns and poor people, but did not live to complete his plans. His son Michael introduced Carthusian monks, and the Charterhouse came into being.

On 21st June 1535, Winestead priest Christopher Michell told his congregation to recognise the Pope as head of the church, in spite of instructions to honour Henry VIII as Supreme Head of the English Church. Michell was jailed in Beverley.

On 21st June 1643, John Pym reported to Parliament on the actions of Capt John Hotham, in charge of troops near Newark, who had allowed his men to harass and steal from local people, turned a gun on Cromwell, and generally acted insolently and in an undisciplined way, and was also suspected of communicating secretly with the Queen. Later, Hotham escaped from prison.

On 21st June 1908, Hull women hired a special train to London for a “Women’s Sunday” rally organised by the WSPU, attended by 300,000 to 500,000; the Hull contingent is said to be the largest from any provincial society.

On 21st June 1915, children from Mappleton School went to Rolston Camp to see the troops depart for France; they marched to Hornsea train station.

On 21st June 1918, Edward Vere Wright was born in Elloughton. Amateur archaeologist and palaeontologist, he found the first of the 4,000 year old Ferriby boats, with his brother Claude in 1937. In 1940, Ted found a 2^ndboat, and with his son Roderick in 1963, a 3^rdboat. (d 18.5.2010) photo shows a model of one of the boats in Hull & ER Museum.

On 21st June 1993, Hilary Catherine Brown of Tibthorpe died aged 13. (born Bolzano 12.9.1979) Hilary wrote this verse, which is written on her gravestone in Kirkburn church: The storm finished, the night diminished, the day progressed, bringing a sparkling dawn.

Ferriby boat model ERmuseum

May 23rd

On 23rd May 1260, William de Forz III, count of Aumale and Lord of Holderness, died, aged about 45. He gave away his claim to the earldom of Chester in return for 2 small manors, including Driffield. Acted as ambassador for Henry III to Scotland and France, and was a member of the Council of Fifteen, advising the King on government matters. Gave land to Meaux Abbey on ‘the island called Ravenser Odd in the Humber’. His heir, Thomas, was 6 and he and the count’s lands were put into the King’s care.

On 23rd May 1510, Howden tiler Robert Colstayne claimed sanctuary at the church of St John, Beverley, for ‘the security of his body’; the register gives no detail of who was pursuing him, or why.

On 23rd May 1596, Howden churchwardens gave 6d to 2 poor men (presumably travelling through on their way to their home parish).

On 23rd May 1642, Hull Governor Sir John Hotham called a meeting of ‘knights and gentlemen’ to give a ‘learned speech’ explaining why he refused to allow King Charles into the town. This was part of the ‘paper war’ between the King and Parliament.

On 23rd May 1822, Hull merchant Joseph R. Pease attended a public meeting for the Relief of the Suffering Irish, due to famine in the West. He reported it thinly attended.

On 23rd May 1853, a Government enquiry into electoral corruption was opened at the Mansion House, Hull. This followed a petition from the Conservative Party objecting to the election of James Clay and Viscount Goderich as MPs for Hull in the previous year. Hull was unrepresented in Parliament for almost 2 years; the Commission sat for 57 days and produced a report weighing over 11 tons and costing £5,000. (and see 16.8)

On 23rd May 1904, on Whit Monday, the Holderness Polo club held a polo match which attracted 6,000 spectators. This was held at the Polo Ground, Westbourne Avenue, Hull (modern Westbourne Ave West to Perth St West)The last matches were played in 1907.

On 23rd May 1907, the Mayoress of Hull opened a new military rifle range at Rolston, for use by Militia, Volunteers and Yeomanry. The land was leased from Rolston Hall. below – Rolston Hall.

On 23rd May 1911, a fire began in the kitchen chimney of Sledmere House, which 24 hours later had destroyed the whole house. Fire engines from Driffield and Malton attended. There were no injuries.

Rolston Hall.jpg