Old Memories of Castlethorpe 1881

Farmer Amos late Malting Farm

Pretty little village with chestnut tree and Dogester Hill near the station. When the Grafton Hounds meet at Dogester Hill very pretty sight. The old Castle Stables side of the trees, and all turned out.

The good yard was open. The first truck of coal consign to Thomas Amos. I was put up on the truck to put the first piece of coal in the cart. Then the beer bottle. All had drink to wet it. Little boy I had first drink. Wooden bottles made by Cooper Branson Cosgrove.

Mr. G. E. Whiting big Farmer He had Ploughing Engine and everything. When Engine broke down men work all night so they was at work next day.
William Pike and Thomas Amos Farmer happy side by side. Lower Lodge Mr. Grimes farmed Chappell Parson and real gentleman. Like all his stock to live as he did Prepared to die at any time. His Farm was like a Show Yard He had 20 men and boys from the Village at Work.

Tradesmen
Joe Compton butcher
Charlie Jones butcher
William Denny grocer and shoemaker
William Gregory Stores sold anything
Old Richard Nichols Wheelbarrow Grocer pus[h] his Barrow round the village 5 days week. Sold the housewife one penny of everything. So she could make a Pudding for her husband dinner.
Post office Mrs Rainbow only letter and parcel Saving Bank and where you had to go to Hanslope George Cox postmaster.
Blacksmith John Harris
Florist Harry Harris and his Mother Ann Harris die in her 107 year. Killed herself helping her Daughter Ann ring pair of Trousers out of her son John Black Smith which she wash that morning She made Buckinghamshire Lace Lovely and when 70 years old her and Nanny Nichols walk to Northampton and back 12 miles each way in Patterns. Her love a glass of Beerand Tom Amos see she never went short of jug of Beer The strongest, out of Fox Hunter Barrell Her Son Henry Put up big green house 1 acre every went to see that. He had lean to with Hot Air for his Fowls House as to keep small fowls. Brown Leghorn and Silver Pencell and all way had eggs in Cold Weathur. Everybody pop see old Harry for egg.
That was before this deep Litter Poultry Farm thought of. Harry said little Fowls penny pop in Big Fowls eat to much to expenceve
Village Carrier with is Horse and Cart with top on it. William Panter and then his nephew Ted Eakins took it on.

Tom Amos Farmer Malster Cosgrove Water Mill Pair of Averline and Porter Ploughing Engines 16 horse Let Thrashine Engine work round Maidsmorton This and nother round home. He pride himself of supping the best drop of beer in local. His Brewing copper was 200 gallons. He brewed for a week Oct and March and give it all away I[n] the house 2 cellars and 7 Barrells in each 3 [P]ig Barrells 6 Hoghead Back sellor 2 Hoghead full of Beer Brew when his Son Born and sup when he was 21. Brew of Malt and Hops only strengh 12 Bushell of Malt to the Hoghead. Then he Brewed 3 strengths 2 Hoghead Barrell Fox Hunter and 8 Bushell and Caller Beer 6 Bushell the men Beer 4 Bushell. Then he had Loose Box stable full of Beer. Fox Hunter and Caller Beer had Tap in the Middle of the Barrell with Lock and key. Those 2 Barrell was always filled up From Stable Beer Brewed in Oct with first wirt only. In there 6 month before it got into the Fox Hunter and Caller. So it was realy good Good nice beer very clear drank nice and soft and My Father told you if you have 3 glasses it will make a fool of you. (That night)

Tom Amos would sup the feast, Nov 5 always come in feast week. Wolverton was our Station 3 miles. Feast Sunday morning Joe Cowley his Malster and groom order to take Malt Cart to Wolverton Station meet Dad Oldest Bro. Bill. Uncle Bill London Butcher and Carvan Big man 22 stone love Beer. Dad Old Strong could not get him down and his Son Tom and Jimy and T. A. Davis Cousin Wine Shop 47 Aldgate High Street go in the name today G Hill. I went with Joe flood out water up to Horse bellie Then come Uncle Farmer from Thapstone and his son Bert. All Beer drinkers and never make no differance only Happy. Then come his Sisster Sarh and Mary From Ravinstone and Uncle Bob Dawkes. Dinner at 1 oclock 4 Ribs of Beef Roasted infont wood fire in Rasted Jack wond up like clock. Poultry and Plum Puddin at 3 Disert Mum Homemade Wine Apples Pears nuts and co 4 oclock Tea Mother Homemade Bread and Butter then For a walk round Farm. At 7 oclock Supper. In come the Flat Ham off 30 score Sow been keep 2 years, 2 ox Tongue plent of Poulty cheese and scalery out garden. 9 oclock all sang the Amos old Hymn Plough the Fields and Scrater good seed on the Land. Then thank God for all his kind mercy to us all For Good Health The off to roost

Feast Monday
Shooting Party

Joe Feasey keeper Bob Fountaine with Black Kite his Bro Jim and Tom Pike on horse back 3 London Cousins in the middle and they had a nice day sport. Now for the party. 4 Fountaine Bros Abram John Jim and Bob Mother Cousin. Dad Uncle James Amos 84 Haynes Silverton is son William at Chocklock Abthorpe He was bigger that Uncle Bill and fetched up 22 stone. Uncle Farmer his son Bert Mr Coleman Tailor Silverton Mr Smith 82 Weston Underwood and Tom Dent Uncle Bob Dawkes 2 Aunts Sarah and Mary Tom Pike and his Bro William Brewer Play Cards Sang Songs smoke long Church Warden Pipes With Uncle Bills Nut Brown Shad BAC.O. until 13/30 Off they Rode or Drove no lights. The only Light Horn Lanton round pop Candle in it. Mr Smith 82 up Stoke Hill His Pony run up bank and tip them out.

Aug 2. Monday opening of Castlethorpe Station 1882

Mr Dunkley built the Station and his Foreman was John Rooker Rainbow Castlethorpe boy and Mr Jim Glass Station Master and Mr Rainbow got the Station Master to stop the 8/30 am No 1 Platform down fast line. I had first ½ Ticket Mr Rainbow took all his men and I for a ride to Road Station. Treated them all the Pub I as well and then returned back. All Thrupp and Village round come have first ride. They was surprised to see John Rainbow party get out of the Train. All Merry. That was No 4 Platform up Slow. All jump in off Wolverton then the Porters had Baskets of Cake and Buns to give to the children before they return back to Castlethorpe. Sports in Bob Varney Field and Tea Tent. Farmers all round send waggon load of Women and Family that was there transport. Lovely Waggon Painted up Harness Smart and Horses Look as They lived one of the Family. Band Played and All Waggon put up in Tom Amos Yard and Horses in the Stable. They all tried a drop of Amos Beer and Popp off home Happy ready for work the next day.

Queen Victoria Jubble at Castlethorpe 1887

Mr G.E. Whiting give his men a do.
William Pike give his men a do.
Tom Amos went out with the village. John and George Tom Rainbow Bros Tom Osborne Joe Compton. They form a committee Had good spread in the Malting Sport in the little Field also Tea in the Field Malting cleared for Dancing at night. With Sam Compton Band. Consist Sam on a Contigue Fred Clarke Tin Whistle and it was Lovely Tom Amos supply the Beer for all Free. At 11 oclock Tom Amos Went in the Malting and said one more dance and then Finish for to night.
We keep up for the week you come and dance every night untill 11 oclock. Tom Amos will give as much Beer to drink for the Week. We all happy and look after the old anybody in need all help.

Sunday Dinner Father Carved up come the Hotwater plate for the needed. When illness ½ Bottle Brandy and Sherry Jelleys. Pony and Trap for the doctor night or day. John Robinson Butcher had morning out at Hanslope When he got to Mr Whiting fell out of Cart and Broke his Leg out come Mrs C. Whiting John said I want you set my Leg. So I will John. When got Home Doc there waiting. John said it allright a Lady set it for me Don't touch it. He got on well.

In 1883 Railway Navy had words with his Wife as nother man wants her. He said we soon settle this job. I sell her. So he put a Horses Alter around her neck Run her up the Street and sold her for £5.0.0

In 1883 Mr. Grimes sale at Lower Lodge There was railway Crossing the Line and single box that day at 12.
Railway done away with it all Mr Whiting had the Farm for year Mr Whiting come to live From Pindon End Hanslope

In 1890 Tom Amos at the first Christmas Show at Stony Stratford Show Shorthorn Heifer Bred and Fed by owner. She took First Prize. Her went to Newport Pagnell and took First prize for Maiden Heifer and First Best Beast in the Show. Then she was traips off to Fenny Stratford won the Cup for the Best Beast in the Show 1891.

Then come the trouble, Joe Cowley Malster die. Dad old pony die and his favourite Cousin Miss Hawks Shenford die and father attend Stony Stratford Market on Friday morning He drop dead on the mat at Bull Hotel.
All in 3 months. Such trouble my Bro Had Fits Mother and I nurse him 6 years he die. Mother had a growth on the Thurday she made her Butter on Friday morning at 3am she die and left me and my Wife with 3 small little Boys and that the end of the Amos Family at Castlethorpe

Joe Cowley work for Tom Amos 45 years He was Head Malster Had Hanslope and Castlethorpe Malting in charge