News Desk: Tel: 01380 840584 Email: news@kanaltimes.co.uk
When he came across a woman’s name on an ancient horse brass an American researcher followed a trail that
charted the rise and fall of the fortunes of a family of Kennet & Canal traders — and the canal itself
This is first of three features in which he tells the story of the Newth family
on the K&A Canal
Nowhere in the published lore of early 19th century Kennet & Avon Canal history is there to be found the name of even one woman.
Until the late 1830s, it might seem as if women had raised families and toiled
along the canal in virtual obscurity. There was, however, one notable exception
— her name was Ann Newth.
Hilperton Marsh, near Trowbridge, Wiltshire in 1886
Marriage and a move to the canal
The year was 1805; the date, 28th January; the place, St Bartholomew and All
Saints parish church in the rural market town of Wootton Bassett.
As the hour arrived, Ann stepped across the narthex on the arm of her father,
Walter Taylor.
Still days short of her 20th birthday, she must have been keenly aware how fast
her young life was changing.
The wedding had been hastily arranged.
Within minutes she would become Mrs Richard Newth, and within seven months she
would become a mother.
Their offer included equity leasing of a two-storey canalside house. Encouraged
by Ann, Richard seized his
chance, and in 1813 the aspiring couple followed their star south to Hilperton.
The house-and-stable complex where Ann Newth lived with her family, now
remodelled and known as Wharf Cottage. Tow horses were stabled overnight in the
stone foreground building, where the loft served as a schoolroom from 1850 to
1880. The main residence is adjacent, just behind.
Life at Hilperton Marsh Wharf
|
The gruelling job of wharfinger demanded long hours but was well compensated.
As K&A coal traffic boomed, Richard prospered. By 1816 he had not only purchased land
and two freehold rental dwellings on Staverton Road but also, without
neglecting any of his K&ACC duties, acquired his own 70-ft Kennet Barge and tow horse.
He established a regular carrying service from Dundas Wharf (initially also from
|
Tucking Mill) to Hilperton and started a proprietary wholesale/retail coal
business at Marsh Wharf.
Then in 1820 — we know not how nor why — aged just 37, he sadly died.
Ann takes on the business after her husband’s death
Richard’s ability to multi-task and his phenomenal rise to prominence had been
attributable in large measure to Ann’s unfailing across-the-board support.
|
From raising their children, to managing the household and adjoining stables, to
resolutely directing coal yard activities at Marsh Wharf whenever needed, she
had been his Number Two.
Confident of her sound judgement and business instincts, he stipulated in his
will that Ann should assume sole operating responsibility for the family
enterprise until one of their sons might reach the age of 21. Walter, the
oldest, was at the time still
|
only 15.
It was extraordinary in those times for a woman to be at the forefront of any
business, let alone the rough-and-tumble coal trade, for her to hire
bargemasters, negotiate and sign contracts, fix schedules, settle accounts and
boss day labourers.
Yet for the next six years Ann Newth more than held her own, the business
flourished, and her name became familiar up and down the K&A.
|
Ann’s horse brass
|
She left to history one distinctive token of her indomitable spirit and
stewardship — an exquisitely hand-engraved, well-worn brass facepiece that both decorated and
identified the harness of her tow horse.
The legend states: “Ann Newth, Hilperton Marsh Wharf” — simple, direct and powerful advertising.
It should be noted that of the many hundreds of antique
|
horse brasses to have survived the ravages of time, this Georgian amulet, a
sun-in-crescent casting probably inscribed c1822, is one of the earliest known
hanging brasses of British origin, as well as the earliest such brass made for
wear by a canal horse.
It is also the earliest to bear the name of any woman.
|
Hilperton Marsh Wharf today, site of the busy 19th century K&A CC coaling station for the Trowbridge area. The Newth house is just off-camera
on the right.
Ann hands over the running of the business
She must have continued this activity through the 1840s. But then a higher calling beckoned.
By 1857, attendance had grown to fifty pupils. There were two teachers and an
unnamed ‘temporary’ mistress who, logic would suggest, was none other than Ann herself.
Wife and mother, grandmother, coal executive, beer retailer, school mistress… this remarkable woman led life to the full.
It is easy to imagine her as warm, steadfast and outgoing yet death and
heartbreak were ever present.
In addition to suffering the early loss of her husband, she had to bury four of
her own children — little Mary Anne at nine months in 1811, Robert in 1838, plus both Thomas and
John in 1842 within just weeks of each other — and then six of ten grandchildren by Walter.
After 1826, when Walter became co-owner of the business, Ann’s involvement in day-to-day coal operations gradually gave way to increasing
grandmotherly care for her son’s school-age children.
Nevertheless, her unique business career had not ended. The national census of 1841 lists her occupation as “beer retailer”. Usher’s Wiltshire Brewery, open since 1824, had always been eager for new outlets.
The grounds of her picturesque cottage at Hilperton Road Bridge included a stone
terrace easily accessible from Marsh Wharf. Why not make use of the terrace to sell refreshing light ale or porter to
thirsty coal yard workers and the legion of boatmen in constant transit?
Ann’s death
Ann Newth of Hilperton Marsh Wharf died peacefully at home in 1868, aged 83.
She was laid to rest at nearby Staverton in the yew-shaded hillside cemetery
surrounding St Paul’s Church, serenely rimmed by the wandering River Avon.
It was never her intent, but within the broad context of pre-Victorian social
mores, she could not have blazed a wider pathway to the future.
She had merely been fifty years ahead of the battles still to come. Her legacy
endures, now a cherished footnote to K&A history.
Staverton
C of E School
n 1850 Ann’s love of children led to establishment of the Staverton Church of England
School in the loft above her stables.
Because education for boat children remained so haphazard —perhaps a few hours here, tomorrow maybe there, always depending on canal
traffic —the location and accessibility of classrooms were key.
Ann’s canalside venue was ideally situated to serve families living both aboard the
boats and in the immediate Marsh Wharf area.
Copyright Rolf Augustin©
The author wishes to express his gratitude for the assistance received from
members of staff at the Wiltshire Public Records Office, the guidance of Messrs
Clive Hackford and Warren Berry of the K&A Canal Trust, and most especially the active support of Mr Alan Reginald Newth,
great-great-great grandson of Ann Newth, who so kindly provided source
materials and other information to frame the narrative.
